Faith Nyasuguta
Cameroon has joined a growing list of African nations turning to Nigeria’s Dangote Group for energy partnerships, opening talks aimed at breathing life back into its long-idle state refinery following years of disruption.
The country’s national oil refinery, Sonara, has been out of operation since a devastating fire in 2019 crippled its facilities and forced a halt to refining activities. Since then, Cameroon has relied heavily on imported petroleum products, a situation that has strained public finances and heightened concerns about long-term fuel security.
Now, officials are exploring collaboration with the Dangote Group, whose massive refinery complex in Lagos has rapidly reshaped Africa’s downstream oil system. With a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the Dangote Refinery has emerged as one of the continent’s most influential fuel suppliers, positioning itself as a key partner for countries seeking reliable refining capacity.
In January 2026, a Sonara delegation led by chief executive El Hadj Bako Harouna travelled to Lagos to begin formal discussions with Dangote’s management. The visit, which lasted several days, focused on identifying funding mechanisms, technical assistance and possible supply agreements that could support the restart of Cameroon’s refinery.
According to Sonara, the talks are part of a broader recovery blueprint designed to stabilise operations and return the plant to production within two years. The rehabilitation programme, known internally as the “Parras 24” strategy, carries an estimated cost of CFA291.9 billion (about $524 million). Initial efforts will prioritise rebuilding infrastructure damaged in the 2019 blaze before moving to full-scale refining.
Securing dependable fuel supply and financing remains central to the plan. Beyond technical guidance, Sonara is considering negotiating refined product supply deals with Dangote and potentially sourcing loans from the Nigerian conglomerate to ease capital constraints.
However, any deeper investment may depend on Sonara’s ability to clean up its balance sheet. The company is currently burdened with debts totalling roughly CFA479 billion, owed largely to banks and fuel distributors. Progress in restructuring those liabilities is seen as critical to attracting external support.
Cameroon’s outreach reflects Dangote’s expanding footprint across West Africa. In Ghana, authorities have already indicated they may rely on imports from the Lagos refinery to supplement domestic production, as the Tema Oil Refinery operates below capacity. Elsewhere, Dangote has held investment talks with Senegal’s leadership on projects spanning energy and manufacturing, while its cement arm is building a large grinding plant in Côte d’Ivoire.
Together, these moves showcases how Dangote is increasingly filling gaps left by underperforming state refineries and limited local infrastructure.
For Cameroon, a successful partnership could mark a turning point. Restarting Sonara would reduce dependence on costly imports, strengthen energy independence and create new industrial momentum. For the wider region, it highlights a shifting dynamic in which African solutions – and African capital – are playing a larger role in securing the continent’s fuel future.
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