Cameroon: Finance Minister Orders MTN and Orange to Block Undeclared Phones

Cameroon's Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, has issued a stern directive to mobile operators MTN and Orange, ordering them to deactivate all undeclared mobile devices connected to their networks. This move is part of a government effort to combat contraband phones and ensure compliance with customs regulations.

The Minister's instruction, detailed in a letter dated June 4, targets devices that have been irregularly activated since April 1, 2026, the date the new digital platform for paying customs duties and related taxes was implemented. Motaze emphasized that despite previous meetings, the issue of illegally imported devices remaining active on the network persists.

Operators are instructed to systematically block devices with IMEI numbers not registered in the system. The Minister stressed that this action requires synergy between customs authorities and the mobile operators. The government is committed to making phone imports profitable through the established system and intends to penalize smugglers who bypass official channels.

Motaze warned that mobile operators could face fiscal responsibility if they permit undeclared devices to connect to the local network. The government has implemented measures to strengthen import controls and combat customs fraud, aiming for transparency and traceability in device clearance. The current challenge lies in the effective implementation of these measures to dismantle smuggling networks in the sector.

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Any connection to the local network of an undeclared terminal engages the fiscal responsibility of the permissive telephone company.