(Business in Cameroon) – MTN Cameroon recorded a strong performance in the first half of 2025, reaching 7,562,000 active mobile Internet users, a 25% increase yoy. The figures, released in MTN Group’s consolidated results, position Cameroon as one of the fastest-growing data markets on the continent.
The growth was driven by an expansion of 4G coverage. Over the last six months, MTN added 98 new 4G sites, bringing the total to 2,319 LTE sites by the end of June. Average traffic per user also rose, from 5.4 GB to 6.4 GB per month, supported by larger data bundles and falling prices of entry-level smartphones.
However, the operator continues to face criticism from subscribers, who point to network failures and weak customer service. Consumer groups and local media have reported frequent outages, inconsistent speeds, and unclear pricing, highlighting a gap between MTN’s growth numbers and users’ perception of service quality.
The rising subscriber base also boosted revenue. Mobile Internet revenue reached CFA90.9 billion in H1 2025, compared with CFA73 billion a year earlier, a 23.8% increase. Data revenue now accounts for 44.9% of MTN Cameroon’s total income, up from 39.8%.
By comparison, Côte d’Ivoire, with 32 million people versus Cameroon’s 29.5 million, shows more moderate growth. MTN counts 12.4 million active Internet users there, up only 7% year-on-year, pointing to a more mature market. Data revenue in Côte d’Ivoire reached CFA59 billion, or 39.16% of total revenue, below Cameroon’s 50% threshold.
The contrast stems partly from market structure. In Cameroon, 4G is still expanding, while in Côte d’Ivoire the focus is on enriching services such as video content, mobile money, and cloud offerings. The 4G penetration rate stands at 71% in Cameroon compared with 96% in Côte d’Ivoire, showing the significant growth potential still available in Central Africa’s largest economy.
