SUBSCRIBER DEPOSITS : CDEC Awaits Transfer of CFA100 Billion from Eneo, Camtel and Other Operators
La voix des entreprises 
Richard Evina Obam, Chief Executive Officer of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations du Cameroun (CDEC).
(LVDE) — In Cameroon, the issue of security deposits paid by users of public services has returned to the center of financial news. While the government requires their transfer to the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDEC), several concessionaires continue to hold large sums belonging to consumers. According to the public institution, nearly CFA100 billion remains immobilized in the accounts of operators in the electricity, telecommunications and housing sectors.
The reform aimed at securing deposits paid by public service users is gradually entering its operational phase. In Cameroon, the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDEC) still reports waiting for nearly CFA100 billion held by several concessionaires operating in electricity, telecommunications and housing services.
The first concrete progress came from the telecom sector. MTN Cameroon recently transferred an initial amount of CFA450 million to the CDEC. This amount corresponds to deposits paid by some of its subscribers in connection with the use of certain services. This payment marks the beginning of a broader process of returning security deposits collected from consumers by economic operators.
Established under the 2008 law and fully operational for several years, the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations is responsible for securing public or private funds that must be held by the state on behalf of third parties. These resources include deposits paid by subscribers when subscribing to certain services, such as electricity connections, telephone subscriptions or access to public housing.
In practice, these amounts were long kept directly by concessionaire companies. However, regulations now require their transfer to the CDEC in order to improve financial transparency and ensure their restitution to users in case of contract termination. According to the institution’s estimates, security deposits still held by operators could reach about CFA100 billion.
The companies concerned mainly operate in strategic sectors of the economy. These include electricity concessionaire Eneo, the public telecommunications operator Camtel, as well as other actors involved in the provision of essential services. These amounts come from deposits required during electricity meter installation, internet subscriptions or certain real estate services.
For public authorities, the transfer of these resources represents a major financial challenge. Once placed with the CDEC, these funds can be mobilized to support major infrastructure investments while remaining available for legitimate beneficiaries. In several countries, deposit funds institutions play a key role in development financing through the secure management of institutional savings.
In Cameroon, the CDEC also aims to become a key financing lever for the national economy. The institution intends to mobilize these deposited resources to support infrastructure, housing and territorial development projects. In this context, the gradual recovery of deposits held by concessionaires represents a strategic step.
However, the implementation of this reform requires negotiations with the operators concerned, some of whom must conduct internal audits to accurately identify the amounts collected from subscribers. Authorities nevertheless hope to accelerate the process in the coming months to strengthen financial governance and consumer protection.
Tressy Chouente
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