Nigeria’s Dangote Group targets Cameroon’s oil sector

The Dangote Group, Nigeria’s industrial conglomerate, is set to deepen its footprint in Cameroon following high-level discussions with Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute. The company plans to invest heavily in oil storage and transportation infrastructure, building on its existing cement operations in the country.

During a meeting at the Etoudi Palace in Yaoundé, Devakumar Edwin, Dangote Group’s Vice President for Oil and Gas, outlined the company’s strategy to support Cameroon’s growing energy infrastructure needs. The announcement comes as the Central African nation seeks to stabilize its fuel supply amid rising demand from the construction sector.

Expanding cement operations alongside oil ambitions

Dangote Group, already a major player in Cameroon’s cement industry, has reaffirmed its commitment to doubling production capacity at its Douala plant. This expansion aligns with the country’s broader economic growth and the need for reliable energy infrastructure.

The company’s entry into Cameroon’s oil sector represents a strategic shift, with potential implications for the National Refining Company (Sonara), which has faced significant challenges since a devastating fire in 2019 disrupted operations.

Sonara’s revival and long-term energy independence

Cameroon’s government views Dangote’s involvement as a tactical partnership to stabilize the fuel market in the short term while pursuing the rehabilitation of Sonara, estimated at 700 billion FCFA. The goal is to ensure long-term energy self-sufficiency while leveraging Dangote’s capital and expertise.

This collaboration could mark a turning point for Cameroon’s energy sector, balancing immediate market needs with sustainable infrastructure development.