Cameroon launches major tender for 60,000 tonnes of domestic gas
The domestic gas market in Cameroon is advancing significantly with the launch of a competitive tender on September 1, 2026, for 60,000 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This official notice, signed by Okie Johnson Ndoh, who chairs the ad hoc Commission for Petroleum Product Imports (CIPP), divides the total volume into two distinct lots: one for 35,000 tons and another for 25,000 tons. The initiative’s stated goal is to meet 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 evaluation and awarding of bids are scheduled for September 8 at noon, taking place at the same venue. At this preliminary stage, specifics such as the projected market value, the origin of the products, or the precise transportation methods remain undisclosed. These crucial parameters will emerge following the technical assessment of the submitted proposals.
A volume representing nearly five months of external purchases
When viewed against recent trade flows, the scale of this operation is notably substantial. The 2025 Report on the Cameroonian Economy from the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development (MINEPAT), drawing on data from the Directorate General of Customs, indicates that Cameroon imported 150,420 tons of liquefied butane last year, an increase from 145,163 tons in 2024. This 3.6% year-on-year growth underscores a persistent rise in demand, fueled by increasing urbanization and the ongoing shift away from wood-energy sources.
Despite the increased volume, the customs bill actually decreased, moving from 59.38 billion to 56.159 billion FCFA, a 5.4% reduction attributed to more favorable average import prices. Within this context, the targeted 60,000 tons represent 39.9% of the total volume acquired in 2025, which equates to nearly five months of average monthly consumption. In commercial terms, this tonnage is equivalent to 4.8 million standard 12.5 kg gas cylinders. Based on an average customs value of approximately 373,348 FCFA per ton last year, the theoretical market value for this tender would be around 22.4 billion FCFA, though the final price will depend on specific terms and negotiated delivery conditions.
Bipaga, a local buffer with limited capacity
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) shows that 34,699 tons were supplied that year, up from 28,677 tons in 2022. This 21% increase marked the facility’s second-best performance since its inception. However, these volumes remain structurally insufficient to meet the country’s internal demand.
In July 2026, SNH confirmed that Bipaga aims to maintain an annual LPG production of approximately 30,000 tons, even after the cessation of operations at the Hilli Episeyo floating unit. This baseline figure is significantly below the 150,420 tons imported in 2025. This substantial gap highlights the Cameroonian market’s vulnerability to external shocks, whether logistical or price-related, thereby justifying the frequent tenders initiated by the CSPH to secure consistent supplies.
A critical issue for energy security and price stability
The tender launched on September 1 therefore pursues two interconnected objectives. Firstly, it aims to eliminate any risk of supply disruption during the final quarter of 2026, especially in a nation where butane gas serves as the primary urban domestic fuel. Secondly, authorities are striving to control the budgetary exposure linked to the implicit subsidy on cylinder prices, a long-standing burden on public finances managed through the CSPH’s stabilization mechanism.
Ultimately, the true impact of this market — including its final cost, delivery schedule, and effect on strategic reserves — will only become clear once the adjudication process concludes on September 8. The composition of the successful bids will also indicate whether the government prioritizes existing operators within the Cameroonian market or opens opportunities for new international traders.
