09/05/2026
POLICY AND ADVOCACY STATEMENT TO THE GOVERNMENT, MTN CAMEROON AND ORANGE CAMEROON ON THE PROTECTION OF MOBILE MONEY POINT OF SALE (POS) AGENTS
Subject: Urgent Call for Enhanced Protection and Security Measures for Mobile Money POS Agents in Cameroon
We, concerned citizens, Mobile Money Point of Sale (POS) agents, community stakeholders, and advocates for economic justice and human security, express our deep concern over the increasing insecurity, attacks, robberies, and killings targeting Mobile Money agents across Cameroon.
POS agents play a critical role in advancing financial inclusion, supporting local economies, and ensuring access to digital financial services for millions of Cameroonians. Despite their importance, many agents continue to operate under dangerous conditions that expose them to criminal attacks and loss of life.
In light of the growing threats faced by agents, we respectfully call on the Government, MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroon to urgently implement stronger safety and privacy measures to protect the lives and livelihoods of Mobile Money agents nationwide.
Our Key Demands
1. Immediate Suspension of Public “Out of Stock” Lists Showing Agent Balances
We strongly urge MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroon to immediately stop publishing or circulating “out of stock” lists that reveal the figures and amounts of money available in agents’ accounts.
Displaying or sharing such sensitive financial information publicly exposes agents to:
* Targeted robberies
* Violent attacks
* Kidnappings
* Killings and other criminal acts
Financial account information must remain confidential and protected at all times. No agent should risk losing their life because their financial status was exposed through operational communication channels.
We therefore call for:
* Strict confidentiality policies regarding agent balances
* Safer internal reporting mechanisms
* Anonymous or coded operational systems that do not expose agents’ financial positions
2. Reorganization and Verification of WhatsApp Forums/Groups
We further call on both companies to dissolve the current unregulated WhatsApp forums/groups and create new, secure, and professionally managed platforms restricted only to verified and active Mobile Money agents.
Many of the existing groups have become vulnerable spaces where:
* Sensitive operational information is exposed
* Unauthorized individuals gain access
* Criminals can monitor agents’ activities and liquidity levels
We recommend:
* Verification and authentication of all group members
* Removal of inactive or non-agent participants
* Creation of secure communication channels monitored by authorized company representatives
* Regular cybersecurity and safety awareness training for agents
Call to Action
The lives of POS agents matter. No economic activity should come at the cost of human lives and safety.
We therefore urge the Cameroonian Government, MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroon to:
* Engage directly with POS agent representatives
* Develop a national safety framework for Mobile Money agents
* Collaborate with security authorities to improve protection around POS locations
* Establish emergency response and support systems for agents affected by attacks
Protecting POS agents is not only a corporate responsibility but also a moral and social obligation.
We stand in solidarity with all Mobile Money agents across Cameroon and call for immediate action before more innocent lives are lost.
MTN South Africa