Cameroonians Criticize MINAT for Handing Betting Deposits Contract to French Firm

Some Cameroonian business persons have criticised the decisions taken by the Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga regarding deposits on online betting platforms. They say they are giving the contract to a French company, InTouch, a job which a local company can do.

Last Saturday, January 30, Minat suspended deposits and withdrawal from online betting sites. According to a letter Paul Atanga Nji wrote to Orange and MTN General Managers, all payments and withdrawal should pass through InTouch company.

The decision affected sports betting sites like 1xbet, Betpawa, and Meandyou for about a week before they could resume normal operations. It’s likely that they have complied with the regulations, though the sudden decision did not fall in line with the 2025 finance law.

Local Company Ready for the Job

Though the contract has been granted to a foreign company, local companies could do the job. Some Cameroonians told MMI that this situation is all the more worrying and unfair because MINAT has favoured and given the monopoly of this market to a foreign company, most of whose shareholders are French investors. 

However, there are several local companies offering the same service, which have been working with these sports betting companies for over 10 years. To them, they should have launched a tender for everyone to compete before the ministry selected.

However, the ministry did not explain why another third-party company had to be managing deposits and withdrawals on online betting sites.

“We want you to add your voice to theirs, to ours, to alert civil society to denounce and exclude this foreign company from our country’s economic stakes.” Some told MMI.

“This type of interference in business operations will have long-term consequences.” Said Rebecca Enochong, a Cameroonian-American tech woman.

“The fees are an additional 3.5% for payments and 3.5% for withdrawals. So basically an additional 7% tax that isn’t included in the 2025 finance law.” She argued.

To her, Cameroonians might not care because they don’t like betting companies, but if they can do it to them, “they will come for your business next.”

Mimi Mefo Info