Cameroon’s Kribi oil refinery is on track to start partial operations in the second half of 2026, nearly two years ahead of the original June 2028 schedule, according to local media.
The initial phase is expected to process 10,000 barrels per day (bpd), roughly one-third of its final 30,000 bpd capacity, meeting about 22% of national diesel and gasoline demand.
Backed by Cstar Petroleum, SNH, Tradex SA, and Ariana Energy, the project is projected to reduce fuel imports by nearly one-third, easing pressure on foreign exchange reserves and supporting a more stable domestic fuel supply.
Preparatory works, including a base camp, are already underway, while full-scale construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026.
Strengthening National Energy Infrastructure
As part of its broader energy strategy, SNH is developing the refinery five kilometres from the deep-water port of Kribi, covering 250 hectares.
Front-end engineering design (FEED) studies are reportedly 80% complete, signaling steady progress toward full-scale construction.
According to Energy Capital Power, the complex will include a fuel storage terminal with a capacity of 250,000–300,000 cubic metres, capable of handling diesel, gasoline, Jet A1, kerosene, and heavy fuel oil.
A consortium including RCG Turnkey Solutions, Global Process Systems, and China’s Norinco International is reportedly managing construction, while BGFI Cameroon is tasked with raising roughly $215 million for the project.
Once operational, the refinery is expected to generate $250 million annually from marine and petrochemical exports, save roughly $680 million annually on fuel imports and create over 7,000 direct and indirect jobs, while transferring technical skills to the local workforce.
Reducing Dependence on Imports
Currently, Cameroon relies heavily on imported refined fuel following the shutdown of its only other refinery, Sonara in Limbe, in 2019.
Diesel and gasoline are sourced from Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, France, and occasionally the Middle East and Asia.
By processing more domestic crude locally, the Kribi refinery is expected to reduce exposure to global price volatility and supply disruptions.
Positioning Cameroon in the Regional Oil Market
Although Cameroon produces a modest 40,000–60,000 barrels of crude per day, primarily from offshore fields in the Rio del Rey and Douala‑Campo basins, oil remains a key contributor to government revenue and exports.
As older fields decline, domestic refining capacity becomes increasingly critical. The Kribi refinery will enable the country to process more of its crude locally, strengthening energy security and enhancing its role in the Central African, Sub-Saharan energy hub.
