Oumarou Hamandjoda and Judith Yah Sunday épouse Achidi Brandishing Partnership
Cameroon’s efforts to strengthen its electricity and telecommunications infrastructure have received a boost following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Cameroon Electricity Corporation (SOCADEL) and Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL).
The agreement, signed in Yaoundé on October 16, 2026, sets the stage for both companies to explore ways of sharing their existing networks and infrastructure to support service expansion, limit unnecessary spending and improve operational efficiency.
At the heart of the initiative is the recognition that the two companies can achieve more by combining their respective infrastructure assets than by developing separate networks wherever shared facilities could serve the same purpose.
The memorandum provides for technical, legal and economic studies to determine the feasibility of the proposed arrangement. Their findings will inform a subsequent framework agreement that will define the scope of cooperation, the responsibilities of each company and the conditions for implementation.
Under the proposed partnership, CAMTEL could draw on SOCADEL’s electricity infrastructure, including utility poles and rights-of-way, to facilitate the deployment and expansion of telecommunications networks. SOCADEL, in turn, could benefit from CAMTEL’s national optical fibre backbone, international connectivity facilities and experience in building and operating telecommunications networks. Future electricity infrastructure projects that incorporate optical fibre could also create additional opportunities for cooperation.
For CAMTEL, sharing infrastructure could make it easier to extend fibre-optic connectivity to more locations while providing alternative transmission routes to strengthen network reliability. The arrangement could also help the telecommunications operator reduce the cost of expanding its services.
SOCADEL could use the partnership to improve communications between its agencies, control centres and other strategic installations. Better connectivity would support the modernization of its operations and facilitate coordination across its electricity network.
Company leaders underline benefits of cooperation
SOCADEL General Manager Oumarou Hamandjoda described the agreement as a practical expression of the commitment by two state-owned enterprises to work together in developing the country’s infrastructure.
He said the initiative was in line with the vision of President Paul Biya for more coordinated national development.
Hamandjoda called on the technical teams to accelerate the work required to translate the memorandum into a concrete arrangement, expressing the hope that the companies would move quickly towards a framework agreement and begin implementation through pilot projects at selected sites.
His remarks underscored the need to move beyond the signing ceremony and establish clear conditions for putting the proposed infrastructure sharing into practice.
For CAMTEL General Manager Judith Yah Sunday épouse Achidi, the partnership offers an opportunity to make more effective use of existing infrastructure while expanding connectivity and improving the quality of services delivered to customers.
She said the complementary nature of the two companies’ networks could help control deployment costs and create new opportunities for service delivery.
Yah Sunday added that the planned studies would establish the technical and economic conditions governing the proposed arrangement, ensuring that the partnership rests on a clearly defined operational framework.
Reducing duplication and deployment costs
Beyond the direct benefits to the two companies, the proposed cooperation could help address the duplication of infrastructure, particularly in urban areas where the installation of separate networks can place additional pressure on limited public space.
By coordinating their deployment plans, SOCADEL and CAMTEL could reduce the need to install overlapping facilities and limit congestion associated with utility infrastructure along roads and other public corridors.
Such coordination could also allow the companies to make better use of existing assets, potentially freeing resources for other investment priorities. However, the expected benefits will depend on the outcome of the feasibility studies and the terms eventually agreed upon by both parties.
The studies will pay particular attention to the safety of people and installations, compliance with existing regulations and the protection of each company's rights and operational responsibilities.
The memorandum is therefore an initial step rather than a final operational agreement. The two companies must still determine how the shared infrastructure will function, how responsibilities will be divided and what conditions will govern implementation.
A step towards stronger national infrastructure
The SOCADEL-CAMTEL initiative reflects an effort to encourage greater cooperation between state-owned enterprises whose infrastructure serves different but complementary purposes.
Electricity networks provide physical infrastructure that may support telecommunications deployment, while telecommunications systems can improve communication, monitoring and coordination within electricity operations.
If the proposed arrangement proves technically and economically viable, it could help both companies expand their networks more efficiently while contributing to the modernization of essential national services.
The next phase will be decisive, as the planned studies are expected to establish whether the proposed sharing can be implemented safely, efficiently and sustainably. For now, the signing of the MoU signals a common intention by SOCADEL and CAMTEL to coordinate their investments, reduce avoidable costs and explore new ways of improving electricity and telecommunications services across Cameroon.
SOCADEL: Cameroon’s electricity company
The Cameroon Electricity Corporation, known as SOCADEL and formerly operating as Eneo Cameroon, is a state-owned company responsible for activities spanning electricity generation, distribution and commercialization.
Created by presidential decree on May 4, 2026, the company works with other stakeholders in the electricity sector to support the implementation of the sector’s recovery plan and improve electricity supply.
CAMTEL: Supporting Cameroon’s digital connectivity
Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL) is the country’s state-owned telecommunications company. It provides fixed-line telephone, mobile telecommunications and data transmission services to individuals, businesses, public administrations and other operators.
Its infrastructure includes a national optical fibre backbone and connections to international submarine cable systems, which support the expansion of telecommunications services and access to digital connectivity. Through its networks and services, CAMTEL contributes to Cameroon’s digital transformation and efforts to broaden access to telecommunications across the country.
#Laarry Times
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