Cameroon’s only oil refinery, with a capacity of 42,000 barrels per day, is set for rehabilitation after being shut down for six years following a fire in 2019.
The facility, seen as central to Central Africa’s fuel supply, is scheduled to return to operation by 2027 under a government-backed restructuring and recovery program approved this month.
The plan, known as Parras 24, was endorsed at a board meeting on August 13 and outlines a 24-month process of restructuring and repairs.
Officials say state support will be crucial to overcoming years of financial and operational problems.
In a statement, the company said the initiative is aimed at “to relaunch Sonara’s core functions and ensure the continuity of petroleum product supply.”
It also pledged to maintain market stability during the rehabilitation.
“The supply of refined products on the national and international market will continue in both quantity and quality until the full restart of the refinery,” the statement added.
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The six-year shutdown has left Sonara burdened with heavy debts, estimated at CFA376 billion by 2021, while rehabilitation costs are expected to top CFA250 billion.
The fire destroyed four key processing units, forcing Cameroon to depend almost entirely on imports to meet demand.
Sonara, which processes 2.1 million tonnes of crude each year, is nearly fully state-owned, with Total holding a 4% stake.
As the country’s only refinery, its absence has increased import reliance, strained foreign exchange reserves, and widened the trade deficit.
Analysts warn that restarting operations will require more than financing.
Technical upgrades, supply chain restructuring, and delayed modernization efforts remain critical to ensure long-term competitiveness.
If successful, the restart could reduce import dependence, stabilize local fuel prices, and strengthen Cameroon’s position in Central Africa’s energy market.
Refining capacity across the region remains well below demand: Nigeria continues to rely heavily on imports despite the launch of the Dangote refinery, while smaller plants in Chad, Gabon, and Congo-Brazzaville run far below potential.
The revival of Cameroon’s 42,000 bpd refinery could help bridge that gap, lessen reliance on European imports, and reinforce the country’s role as a key Gulf of Guinea fuel supplier.
Still, financing, modernization, and compliance with cleaner fuel standards remain significant hurdles.
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Iamge Credit: Business Insider Africa
