Orange Money Cameroon has suffered a legal setback in its dispute with the Caisse des dépôts et consignations (CDEC) regarding the BOFAS case. At the hearing on the enforcement dispute on April 7, 2026, the Court of First Instance of Yaoundé-Centre administratif rejected the mobile money operator's request to cancel a payment order for more than 3.68 billion FCFA.
The judge rejected the plea of lack of jurisdiction raised by Orange Money, before dismissing the company, condemning it to pay the costs and declaring the order enforceable immediately before registration. Orange Money Cameroon has fifteen days to appeal.
Orange Money contested the legal basis of the procedure, arguing that a payment solidarity mechanism could not be implemented without a prior judicial decision, arguing that it had never been brought before the administrative judge in this case. The operator believed that its status as a third-party holder could only take effect after a decision by the administrative judge ruling on its liability, an argument that the enforcement dispute judge did not accept.
The procedure began in July 2025, when Orange Money Cameroon received a third-party notice from the CDEC regarding funds linked to Afriland First Bank. Orange Money recalled that an order of March 20, 2025 had suspended the mobilization of guarantees issued by Afriland within the framework of the market concerned, placing it in a delicate situation between two court decisions. The procedure continued with a notice of formal notice, a summons to pay, then the contested order.
The CDEC is also claiming 150 million FCFA in late payment penalties from Orange Money Cameroon, based on the decree of December 1, 2023 setting out the procedures for the transfer of funds and assets vested in the CDEC. Article 7 of this text provides for late payment interest in the event of late transfer of funds due to the CDEC. The CDEC is considering other measures to obtain payment, in particular protective measures on the operator's assets.
BGFIBank Cameroon, also involved, has chosen to withdraw from legal proceedings and begin negotiations. This dispute is part of the BOFAS affair, relating to section 3 of the Bamenda Up-Hill Station Bypass road, a 14.32 billion FCFA contract terminated due to delays. The CDEC is seeking to recover nearly 3.68 billion FCFA in financial guarantees, relying on the Treasury privilege. The sums targeted correspond to assets of Afriland First Bank held at BGFIBank Cameroon and Orange Money Cameroon, which are considered third-party holders.
The decision of April 7, 2026 reinforces the CDEC's strategy, allowing the contested order to remain and referring Orange Money Cameroon to the appeal process. The CDEC thus marks an important procedural point in this complex case involving a terminated public contract, financial guarantees and forced recovery. The BOFAS affair continues to cause turmoil in the Cameroonian financial sector.
