Expanding cement operations while eyeing oil

During a high-level meeting in Yaoundé, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute received a delegation from Dangote Group, where Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas, outlined ambitious plans to invest in Cameroon’s petroleum sector. The proposal centers on developing storage and transport facilities to meet growing energy infrastructure needs.

This initiative comes as Dangote Group also plans to double its cement production capacity in Douala, reinforcing its long-standing presence in Cameroon’s construction sector. The timing aligns with urgent national priorities to secure fuel supplies and support the booming building industry.

Strategic partnership for energy independence

The announcement arrives at a critical juncture for Cameroon’s National Refining Company (Sonara), which has been operating at reduced capacity since a devastating fire in May 2019. The group’s oil sector investment could provide immediate relief while posing long-term strategic challenges to Sonara’s recovery efforts.

Government officials describe the potential partnership as a “strategic alliance”—leveraging Dangote’s resources to stabilize the market in the short term while safeguarding Sonara’s estimated 700 billion CFA franc reconstruction project. This dual approach aims to ensure Cameroon’s long-term energy independence.