Cameroon’s domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market saw a sharp acceleration in the second quarter of 2025, driven primarily by imports, according to data from the Ministry of Finance’s Economic Outlook Note for Q2.
Between the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2025, LPG consumption increased by 33.5 percent, rising from 89,759 tons to 119,818 tons. The growth was even more pronounced on a quarterly basis, with volumes released for consumption jumping 72.6 percent between the first and second quarters of 2025. Distributed quantities rose from 43,947 tons in Q1 to 75,871 tons in Q2, underscoring a rapid surge in domestic demand.
The report highlights that the growth in LPG consumption was not supported by domestic production, which declined during the same period. Output fell by 18 percent in Q2, dropping from 7,951 tons to 6,519 tons, largely due to reduced activity at the state-owned National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH). To meet domestic demand, the country relied on imports, which increased by 30.3 percent, from 94,175 tons in the first half of 2024 to 122,707 tons in the first half of 2025.
Overall, total national LPG supply rose 25.5 percent, helping to satisfy growing demand, particularly in urban areas where cooking gas is a widely used and accessible energy source. The Ministry of Finance report points to a sharp rise in industrial consumption, with some companies turning to gas to stabilize production, alongside sustained growth in household usage. Combined pressures from industry and households have amplified total domestic consumption.
To mitigate price shocks from rising demand and dependence on imports, the government has maintained support for domestic LPG prices through the Hydrocarbons Price Stabilization Fund (CSPH). The fund injected 36.9 billion CFA francs as of September 30, 2025, to stabilize LPG prices. This disclosure was made during a board meeting in Yaoundé in December 2025.
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The increase in domestic gas demand reflects broader energy trends in Cameroon, where urbanisation, rising household incomes, and industrial expansion have boosted consumption of cleaner, more reliable fuels. LPG is seen as a practical alternative to traditional biomass fuels, such as wood and charcoal, which remain widely used but are less efficient and contribute to deforestation.
Analysts say the surge in gas consumption could influence investment decisions in Cameroon’s energy sector, particularly regarding the expansion of storage, distribution networks, and domestic production capacity. The decline in local production has highlighted the country’s reliance on imports to meet rising consumption, raising questions about long-term energy security and infrastructure investment priorities.
The government’s continued use of the CSPH fund signals an ongoing commitment to keeping household and industrial LPG prices affordable. Experts note that while subsidies and price stabilization measures help manage short-term affordability, sustainable supply growth will require investments in local production and modern distribution infrastructure.
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Cameroon’s LPG market performance also mirrors regional trends in Central and West Africa, where rising urban populations and industrialisation are pushing greater adoption of clean energy solutions. As domestic demand grows, the balance between imports, local production, and pricing support will remain critical for both market stability and energy policy objectives.
The Ministry of Finance report underscores the dynamic nature of the country’s energy sector, with demand driven by both household consumption and industrial needs. Authorities will likely continue monitoring the market closely, adjusting supply, imports, and subsidies as needed to ensure reliable access to LPG and manage inflationary pressures on energy costs.
