Viettel Cameroon to go operational

As Viettel Cameroon prepares to launch its activities, Cameroonians are confused as to who between Cameroon and Vietnam is to have the largest number of workers in the company.

According to an internal source, they will be 317 Vietnamese out of the 600 employees. The Director General talks of about 100-150, as of a start.

This discrepancy illustrates the excitement that won Viettel Cameroon, whose official launch of operations is scheduled for 18 September.

Beyond the whole “Cameroonisation " of the company in terms of workers, it seems as if Vietnamese will enjoy the largest number of workers since it is alleged that the Vietnamese partners are unwilling to hand over full management to Cameroonians.

"The partner does not want to allow full management of the company by locals. Most of the technical executives will be Vietnamese since the locals are believed to be limited in technological knowhow, "says our source.

As for the workers that will be employed as engineers, they prefer engineers with certificate of “BAC +” who can settle for less.

“We must wait until the activity starts before judging Viettel Cameroon. We are producing nothing yet,” said the Deputy Director General, Moses Bayi.

Regarding the staff, the presence of Vietnamese is justified by technical assistance. And believe, whatever their number, it does not affect Viettel Cameroon. "They come to build a network.

The reason for bringing these Vietnamese executives is to ensure the transfer of technology. We want to build our own products, without necessarily using what our competitors have. Furthermore, we opted for youth.

The average age here is 24 years, and for the first salary, it's pretty interesting.”

Moses Bayi made it clear that there was calm in the company: “We learn to work together internally. It's true; initially we had some problems that gradually were solved. We have a lot of pressure. To launch this network in one year is not easy.” Bayi explained.

On his part, Rostant Tane, business intelligence consultant believed that the launching of Viettel will take place, "but it is at managing it that still stuck.

The government should look at the issue closely; because there was a promise of local jobs.

We had never seen a foreign company, during installation, with international executives like this.” Rostant Tane complained.