Vaughan O’Grady
26 January 2026
1,400 views
Expansion projects announced over the past week in Cameroon and Madagascar signal a renewed push to improve digital connectivity, particularly in underserved and remote regions.
In Cameroon, state-owned operator Camtel has signed a syndicated financing agreement worth CFA44.884 billion (approximately US$81.2 million) with Commercial Bank Cameroon. The funding will support the first phase of Camtel’s Mobile Network Expansion (MNE) project, aimed at improving service quality and extending national coverage.
The programme targets congested infrastructure and seeks to expand 2G, 3G, and 4G coverage to regional and departmental capitals, university cities, strategic economic zones, and rural communities with limited access. According to Ecofin, the financing forms part of a broader CFA52.2 billion (around US$94.4 million) investment plan.
DataReportal figures for 2026 show that while Cameroon recorded 29 million active mobile lines by the end of 2025—representing 96.4 percent of the population—many remain restricted to voice and SMS services. Mobile internet penetration stood at just 12.6 million users, or 41.9 percent.
In Madagascar, the Ministry of Digital Development, Postal and Telecommunications has launched the Rapid Rural Transformation (RRT) and Smart Village initiative along the Vohitsova–Antanimora development corridor in the country’s south. The programme is designed to bring digital services closer to rural communities and is being implemented in partnership with the World Food Programme.
Six sites across the Anosy and Androy regions are now operational, featuring hybrid connectivity based on satellite links and off-grid solar power. These Smart Villages include shared community hubs offering digital services and public affairs councils to facilitate access to government support.
Beyond connectivity, the initiative supports local economic development through solutions such as solar-powered refrigeration and real-time market information for farmers. TechAfrica News reports that the programme has already benefited more than 10,000 residents, created local employment, trained 1,200 young people in digital skills, and increased commercial activity around digital hubs by 20 percent.
