Cameroon and China have stepped up discussions on energy and industrial investments centred on the Kribi port zone, as both countries seek to deepen economic cooperation and boost manufacturing capacity.
Cameroon’s state oil company, National Hydrocarbons Company (SNH), hosted a delegation from the Chinese embassy in Yaounde on April 16, with talks focusing on advancing investment-linked energy projects and expanding industrial activity in the coastal hub.
The meeting brought together SNH officials and China’s newly appointed economic and commercial counsellor, Xiao Guofeng, as part of a broader push to strengthen bilateral ties.
Discussions centred on major projects underway in the Kribi industrial-port area, including a refinery and petroleum storage facility under the CSTAR initiative, as well as the expansion of a large-scale ceramics manufacturing plant operated by KEDA Ceramics.
SNH officials presented the projects as key drivers of industrialisation, highlighting their potential to boost downstream value addition and improve energy security.
More Read
The CSTAR refinery project — backed by SNH, fuel distributor Tradex and private partner Ariana Energy — is expected to require investment of about $622 million.
At an initial capacity of 10,000 barrels per day, the refinery is projected to meet roughly 22 percent of Cameroon’s domestic demand for diesel and gasoline, reducing reliance on imported refined fuels.
Once expanded to its planned capacity of 30,000 barrels per day, the facility could cut fuel imports by nearly one-third and generate up to $250 million annually in marine and petrochemical exports, according to project estimates.
More Read
The development timeline has also been accelerated, with front-end engineering design studies expected to conclude by June 2026, equipment deliveries scheduled for September and initial production targeted for December 2026 — significantly ahead of the original 2028 commissioning date.
Alongside refining, the talks highlighted the role of natural gas in supporting industrial output.
SNH currently supplies gas via pipeline to the KEDA ceramics plant in Kribi, considered the largest facility of its kind in Central Africa. At full capacity, the plant is expected to consume up to six million cubic feet of gas per day and produce around 20 million square metres of tiles annually, covering about two-thirds of Cameroon’s domestic demand.
The project is also expected to create around 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, underpinned by a long-term gas supply agreement.
Beyond specific investments, both sides discussed opportunities in upstream oil and gas exploration, as well as technology transfer, workforce development and the promotion of locally produced goods.
SNH adviser Nathalie Moudiki, representing the company’s leadership, reaffirmed Cameroon’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with Chinese investors in the hydrocarbons sector.
More Read
The meeting comes amid growing economic ties between the two countries, with China remaining Cameroon’s largest trading partner.
Bilateral trade exceeded 1,600 billion CFA francs in 2024, driven largely by imports of Chinese goods, according to official statistics. However, Cameroon continues to run a substantial trade deficit with China, reflecting structural imbalances in the relationship.
In December 2025, the two countries signed a framework agreement aimed at expanding market access, including potential duty-free entry for Cameroonian exports into China.
Analysts say the focus on the Kribi corridor reflects a broader strategy to position the zone as a hub for export-oriented manufacturing and energy processing, leveraging its deep-sea port and proximity to resource basins.
As Cameroon seeks to accelerate industrialisation, the success of these projects will depend on sustained investment flows, infrastructure delivery and the ability to translate energy resources into higher-value economic output.
