Cameroon launches major tender for 60,000 tonnes of domestic gas

Cameroon’s domestic gas market is set to undergo a significant development with the launch of a competitive tender on September 1, 2026, for the acquisition of 60,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This crucial announcement, signed by Okie Johnson Ndoh, who presides over the ad hoc Commission for Petroleum Product Imports (CIPP), divides the total volume into two distinct lots: one for 35,000 tonnes and another for 25,000 tonnes. Officially, this operation aims to fulfill the nation’s consumption requirements for the 2026 fiscal year.

Prospective bidders can obtain application documents from the headquarters of the Hydrocarbons Price Stabilization Fund (CSPH), conveniently located at Warda roundabout in Yaoundé. The public opening and adjudication of offers are scheduled for September 8 at noon, taking place within the same premises. At this preliminary stage, specific details such as the projected market value, the geographical origin of the products, or the precise transportation logistics remain undisclosed. These essential parameters will emerge following a comprehensive technical evaluation of the submitted proposals.

A volume representing nearly five months of external purchases

When viewed against recent trade flows, the sheer scale of this procurement initiative is quite substantial. The Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development (MINEPAT)’s 2025 Report on the Cameroonian Economy, drawing upon data from the Directorate General of Customs, reveals that Cameroon imported 150,420 tonnes of liquefied butane last year, an increase from 145,163 tonnes in 2024. This 3.6% year-on-year growth underscores a persistent rise in demand, fueled by rapid urbanization and the ongoing transition away from wood-energy sources.

Despite the increased volume, the customs invoice actually saw a reduction, falling from 59.38 billion to 56.159 billion FCFA. This 5.4% decline is primarily attributed to a more favorable average import price. Within this context, the 60,000 tonnes sought through the current tender account for 39.9% of the total volume acquired in 2025, effectively covering almost five months of average monthly consumption. In commercial terms, this tonnage is equivalent to approximately 4.8 million 12.5 kg gas cylinders. Based on an average customs value of around 373,348 FCFA per tonne last year, the theoretical market value for this tender would be close to 22.4 billion FCFA, though the final price will ultimately depend on the selected specifications and negotiated delivery terms.

Bipaga, a local buffer with limited capacity

Despite the significant import needs, Cameroon does possess domestic production capabilities through the Bipaga gas processing center. Situated in the Southern region, this facility commenced operations in 2018. The 2023 annual report from the National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH) indicates that Bipaga delivered 34,699 tonnes of LPG that year, an increase from 28,677 tonnes in 2022. This 21% surge marked the installation’s second-best performance since its inception. Nevertheless, these volumes remain structurally insufficient to fully satisfy the nation’s internal demand for domestic gas.

In July 2026, SNH confirmed that Bipaga is projected to maintain an annual production of approximately 30,000 tonnes of LPG, even following the decommissioning of the Hilli Episeyo floating unit. This baseline figure falls significantly short of the 150,420 tonnes imported in 2025. The substantial disparity highlights the inherent vulnerability of the Cameroonian market to external disruptions, whether logistical or price-related, thereby justifying the consistent tenders launched by the CSPH to safeguard essential supplies.

An issue of energy security and price stability

The tender announced for September 1 is thus designed to achieve two interconnected objectives. Firstly, it aims to proactively eliminate any potential risk of supply shortages during the final quarter of 2026, especially critical in a country where butane gas serves as the primary urban domestic fuel. Secondly, authorities are striving to mitigate the budgetary exposure stemming from the implicit subsidy on bottled gas prices, a long-standing financial burden on public accounts managed through the CSPH’s stabilization mechanism.

Ultimately, the true impact of this market initiative—including its final cost, delivery schedule, and effect on strategic reserves—will only become apparent once the adjudication process concludes on September 8. The composition of the successful bids will also offer insight into whether the government intends to prioritize existing operators within the Cameroonian market or open avenues for new international traders.