Despite an expanding fiber optic network, access to broadband remains limited for a large part of the population. The country is seeking to reduce these disparities and accelerate digital inclusion as part of its national strategy.

Cameroonian President Paul Biya (pictured) signed a decree on Friday, March 6, authorizing the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development to conclude a loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China for approximately 1.35 billion yuan (nearly US$195 million). This financing is earmarked for phase 4 of the national fiber optic backbone expansion project.

Décret autorisant la signature d’un Accord de prêt pour le financement du Projet d'extension du Backbone Transmission par Fibre Optique (Phase IV).#PaulBiya#Cameroun pic.twitter.com/F3QJEwWe5m

— President Paul BIYA (@PR_Paul_BIYA) March 6, 2026

A fiber optic network built gradually since 2011

This funding is part of Cameroon’s ongoing national fiber optic deployment program, which began over a decade ago with the aim of establishing a national data transport network. According to a document from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, between 2011 and 2016, approximately 6,000 km of fiber optic cable were installed during the first two phases of the project. The third phase, completed in 2017, added another 4,000 km, bringing the total national fiber optic network to approximately 10,000 km, in addition to the 1,000 km deployed along the Chad-Cameroon pipeline.

Since then, other expansion projects, cross-border interconnections, and complementary deployments by public and private operators have progressively increased this infrastructure. Cameroon now has just over 15,000 km of fiber optic cable, linking the different regions of the country and providing interconnections with several neighboring states, including Chad, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria.

An infrastructure that is still underutilized

Despite the gradual expansion of this infrastructure over the past decade, its use remains limited, and the quality of connectivity continues to draw criticism from users. According to the latest DataReportal data for early 2026, internet penetration in Cameroon hovers around 45%, revealing a paradox between a relatively robust transport infrastructure and still limited “last mile” access for a large portion of the 12.6 million internet users recorded.

Phase 4 of the project aims in particular to correct these disparities by densifying distribution networks in order to connect more effectively government offices, businesses and rural areas that are still poorly served.

A strategic challenge for the digital economy

The completion of this backbone network is a strategic lever for the growth of the digital economy and the structural transformation envisioned by Cameroon’s 2020-2030 National Development Strategy. The development of fiber optics is indeed considered a key factor in supporting the emergence of technology startups, the development of digital services and e-commerce platforms, as well as the digitalization of public services.

The renewed partnership with Export-Import Bank of China, which has already financed several previous phases of the project, thus confirms the ambition of the Cameroonian authorities to strengthen the territorial coverage of the network and accelerate the digital inclusion of the country.

Source: Agence Ecofin