Cameroon advances 5G preparations amid digital infrastructure challenges

Cameroon is nearing the completion of preparatory work for 5G mobile technology, though commercial deployment remains dependent on further operator investment and infrastructure improvements. The Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) has reviewed investment plans and inspected network sites, but several hurdles persist, including the need for a reliable electricity supply and increased fibre-optic capacity.

While the country’s digital market shows strength—evidenced by over 10 million Mobile Money accounts and $5 billion in transactions—broader digital investment is constrained by weak infrastructure, limited connectivity, and a lack of bankable tech companies. At a recent business climate forum organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Yaoundé, participants identified energy, connectivity, and cybersecurity as critical requirements for attracting large-scale funding.

Cameroon is currently seeking support for major digital initiatives, including a sovereign data center and a national AI strategy. However, experts suggest that the startup ecosystem requires more investment-ready projects to attract significant capital, with a need for approximately 100 such startups to potentially deploy up to $100 million in funding.