Cameroon’s domestic gas market is poised for a significant development following the launch of a new tender on September 1, 2026. This competitive bidding process seeks to acquire 60,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The official notice, signed by Okie Johnson Ndoh, who chairs the ad hoc Commission for Petroleum Product Imports (CIPP), divides this substantial volume into two distinct lots: one for 35,000 tonnes and another for 25,000 tonnes. The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure adequate supply for the nation’s consumption requirements throughout the 2026 fiscal year.
Prospective bidders can obtain application documents from the headquarters of the Hydrocarbons Price Stabilization Fund (CSPH), conveniently located at Warda roundabout in Yaoundé. The formal opening and adjudication of bids are scheduled for September 8 at noon, taking place at the same venue. At this initial stage, specific details regarding the projected market value, the origin of the products, or the precise transport arrangements remain undisclosed. These crucial parameters will emerge following a thorough technical evaluation of the submitted proposals.
A volume equivalent to nearly five months of external purchases
When measured against recent trade flows, the sheer scale of this operation is considerable. The 2025 Report on the Cameroonian Economy, published by the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development (MINEPAT) and drawing on statistics from the Directorate General of Customs, revealed that Cameroon imported 150,420 tonnes of liquefied butane last year. This figure represents an increase from 145,163 tonnes in 2024, a 3.6% year-on-year rise indicating sustained demand growth driven by ongoing urbanization and the shift away from wood fuel.
Despite the increased volume, the customs bill actually decreased from 59.38 billion to 56.159 billion FCFA, a 5.4% reduction attributed to a softening of average import prices. Within this context, the 60,000 tonnes sought through the current tender represent 39.9% of the total volume acquired in 2025, effectively covering almost five months of consumption at the average monthly rate. Converted into commercial units, this tonnage is equivalent to 4.8 million 12.5 kg gas cylinders. Based on an average customs value of approximately 373,348 FCFA per tonne last year, the theoretical market value would be around 22.4 billion FCFA, though the final price will ultimately depend on the selected specifications and negotiated delivery terms.
Bipaga: a local buffer with limited capacity
Cameroon does possess domestic production capabilities through the Bipaga gas processing center, situated in the Southern region and operational since 2018. The 2023 annual report from the National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH) indicated that 34,699 tonnes were delivered that year, an increase from 28,677 tonnes in 2022. This 21% progression marked the facility’s second-best performance since its inception. However, these volumes consistently prove insufficient to meet the country’s internal demand.
In July 2026, SNH confirmed that Bipaga is expected to maintain an annual LPG production of approximately 30,000 tonnes, despite the cessation of operations at the Hilli Episeyo floating unit. This baseline figure remains significantly below the 150,420 tonnes imported in 2025. This persistent disparity highlights the Cameroonian market’s susceptibility to external shocks, whether logistical or price-related, thereby underscoring the necessity for frequent tenders launched by the CSPH to safeguard national supplies.
An imperative for energy security and price stability
The tender launched on September 1 thus aims to achieve two interconnected objectives. Firstly, it seeks to eliminate any risk of supply disruption during the final quarter of 2026, particularly critical in a nation where butane gas serves as the primary urban domestic fuel. Secondly, authorities are striving to manage the budgetary exposure associated with the implicit subsidy on cylinder prices, a long-standing burden on public finances managed through the CSPH’s stabilization mechanism.
Ultimately, the true impact of this market — including its final cost, delivery schedule, and effect on strategic reserves — will only become clear following the adjudication process scheduled for September 8. The composition of the successful bids will also reveal whether the government favors existing operators within the Cameroonian market or opts to broaden participation to new international traders.