By Sidney Wache
In a decisive move to end Cameroon’s long-standing dependence on costly fuel imports, a high-level delegation from the National Refining Company (SONARA) traveled to
Lagos, Nigeria, to meet with the management of the Dangote Refinery; Africa’s largest privately-owned oil refinery.
The SONARA delegation, led by Director General El Hadj Bako Harouna, spent four days (January 20–23) negotiating what many analysts are calling a potential “lifeline” for Cameroon’s energy sector.
At the heart of the discussions was PARRAS 24, SONARA’s ambitious recovery plan aimed at restarting refining operations in Limbe within 24 months, at an estimated cost of 291.9 billion FCFA ($524 million).
The Dangote Group, founded and led by Aliko Dangote, is Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate, with interests spanning cement, sugar, salt, and oil refining.
The Lagos refinery, capable of producing 650,000 barrels per day, is seen as a regional energy hub and a potential partner capable of helping Cameroon secure both immediate fuel supplies and long-term industrial support.
SONARA’s road to recovery is steep. The Limbe refinery has been largely inactive since a devastating fire in 2019 destroyed critical units. Compounding the problem is a massive debt burden of 479 billion FCFA, which has scared off many international investors.
The Cameroon government has introduced a “pump tax” of roughly 47.8 FCFA per liter to begin paying down this debt and make SONARA more attractive to strategic investors like Dangote.
Short-term, Cameroon hopes to secure a steady supply of refined fuel at “neighborly” prices, bypassing expensive European traders and reducing price volatility at local stations. Long-term, a potential loan or investment from Dangote Group could help rebuild the Limbe refinery and restore Cameroon’s refining capacity.
Experts predict that a successful partnership could
Reduce the trade deficit, as Cameroon currently spends billions on imported fuel each year.
Stabilize pump prices, benefiting consumers and businesses alike.
Create jobs, both directly in the refinery and indirectly through related supply chains.
Attract foreign investment, signaling to regional and global investors that Cameroon is open for industrial partnerships.
For the first time since the 2019 fire, Cameroon is looking toward a regional “big brother” rather than international markets to secure its energy needs.
If negotiations with Dangote succeed, it could mark a new era in Cameroon’s energy policy—one where regional collaboration, industrial revival, and economic stability go hand in hand.
As the discussions continue, all eyes are on Lagos.
Cameroon’s energy future may depend on how quickly SONARA and Dangote can turn dialogue into action.