The National Institute of Statistics has signed partnership agreements with MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroon to facilitate electronic payment of more than 30,000 agents engaged in the general population census and the general census of agriculture and livestock, under the World Bank-financed Harmonisation and Improvement of Statistics in West and Central Africa project.
The agreements were signed in Yaounde on February 25, by the Director General of the National Institute of Statistics, Joseph Tedou, on behalf of the institution executing the HISWACA project. William Nlembe, Director General of Orange Money, signed for Orange, while Alain Nono, General Manager of MTN Mobile Money Corporation, signed for MTN. The ceremony brought together representatives of the United Nations Population Fund, the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development and other stakeholders, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
The partnership falls within the framework of the HISWACA project, financed by the World Bank, and designed to support the implementation of Cameroon’s 2020-2030 National Strategy for the Development of Statistics. The project runs from 2025 to 2029 and aims to improve statistical performance, enhance regional harmonisation, expand data access and utilisation, and modernise statistical systems in participating countries.
Speaking during the ceremony, Joseph Tedou said the collaboration with MTN and Orange would ensure smooth and fluid payment to the over 30,000 agents involved in the two censuses through mobile money platforms. He stated that although the institute has previously used electronic payment systems, the newly signed partnership would have a greater impact due to the scale of personnel concerned. He added that a prior study conducted by the institute identified loopholes in existing payment systems and established that electronic payments would effectively address the gaps. He described the approach as a decisive step for Cameroon within the HISWACA framework.
William Nlembe said Orange Money would facilitate the payment of salaries for more than 3,000 staff working on the population census scheme. He stated that the company would begin by opening accounts for all agents and enable them to access their funds through its distribution network of more than 100,000 points of sale nationwide. He added that Orange Money was supporting the government in the operation.
Alain Nono said MTN Mobile Money Corporation, with over 150,000 mobile money sale points across Cameroon, would ensure that census agents receive their salaries and per diems without travelling to urban centres to access funds. He stated that each agent would be provided with a MoMo account and access to additional services, including international transactions through a virtual card activated on wallets. He added that the corporation holds Global System for Mobile Communications Association certification for mobile money security in the CEMAC zone and plans to expand the partnership to provide further expertise to the National Institute of Statistics.
Mercy Fosoh
