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

The **domestic gas market in Cameroon** is set to enter a new phase with the announcement of a competitive tender on September 1, 2026, for 60,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This significant call for bids, signed by Okie Johnson Ndoh, president of 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, the operation aims to meet the nation’s consumption requirements for the 2026 fiscal year.

Interested parties can collect application documents from the headquarters of the Hydrocarbons Price Stabilization Fund (CSPH), conveniently located at Warda roundabout in Yaoundé. The tender bids will be opened and awarded on September 8 at noon, at the very same venue. At this initial stage, specific details such as the estimated market value, the origin of the products, or the transportation logistics remain undocumented. These crucial parameters will emerge following the technical evaluation of the submitted proposals.

A volume equivalent to nearly five months of foreign purchases

When viewed against recent trade flows, the sheer scale of this procurement operation is considerable for this west-central African nation. The 2025 Report on the Cameroonian Economy by the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development (MINEPAT), which draws upon statistics 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 shift away from wood-based energy sources.

Despite the increased volume, the customs bill actually decreased, falling from 59.38 billion to 56.159 billion FCFA. This 5.4% decline is attributed to a softening of average import prices. Within this context, the targeted 60,000 tonnes represent a substantial 39.9% of the volume acquired in 2025, effectively covering almost five months of average monthly consumption. Translated into consumer units, this tonnage is equivalent to 4.8 million 12.5 kg gas cylinders. Based on an average customs value of approximately 373,348 FCFA per tonne last year, the theoretical market value would hover around 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 and commissioned in 2018. The 2023 annual report from the National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH) indicates that 34,699 tonnes were delivered that year, an increase from 28,677 tonnes in 2022. This 21% progression marked the facility’s second-best performance since its inception. However, these volumes remain structurally insufficient to meet the burgeoning internal demand.

In July 2026, SNH confirmed that Bipaga is expected to maintain an annual LPG production of approximately 30,000 tonnes, even following the cessation of operations at the Hilli Episeyo floating unit. This baseline figure is still significantly below the 150,420 tonnes imported in 2025. This persistent gap highlights the Cameroonian market’s vulnerability to external shocks, whether logistical or price-related, thereby justifying the frequent tenders launched by the CSPH to secure vital supplies, a critical aspect of African current affairs and energy stability.

A challenge for energy security and price stability

The September 1 tender, therefore, pursues two interconnected objectives. On one hand, it aims to eliminate any risk of supply disruption during the final quarter of 2026, particularly crucial in a country where butane gas is the primary urban domestic fuel. On the other hand, authorities are striving to manage the budgetary exposure linked to the implicit subsidy on bottled gas prices, a long-standing burden on public finances managed through the CSPH’s stabilization mechanism.

Practically, the true scope of this market — including its final cost, delivery schedule, and impact on strategic reserves — will only become clear after the award process concludes on September 8. The composition of the selected bids will also reveal whether the executive favors existing operators within the Cameroonian market or seeks to engage new international traders, reflecting broader trends in African governance and resource management. This is key English Africa news for those following the continent’s energy sector.