Cameroon Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in cameroon, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Energy
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Under Cameroon’s long-term energy sector development plans aligned with national development goals, the government aims to add at least 3,500 MW of new generation capacity and achieve approximately 1 million new electricity connections through grid densification, extension, and the development of mini grids over the coming decade. These initiatives create opportunities for U.S. firms in power generation, mini-grid deployment, smart grid technologies, and energy infrastructure services.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency have supported feasibility studies for mini-grid electrification, further expanding opportunities for U.S. firms in fast-power solutions, natural gas-to-power projects, rural electrification, mini-grids, and renewable energy deployment.

Leading Sub-sectors

  • Power Generation
  • Power Transmission
  • Power Distribution
  • Renewable Energy

Opportunities

Cameroon holds significant renewable energy potential, with an estimated 21 million hectares of biomass resources—the third largest in sub-Saharan Africa—and hydropower potential of approximately 115,000 GWh per year, of which only 4 percent has been developed. Key hydropower opportunities include expanding capacity on the Sanaga River, developing a two-plant cascade on the Nyong River (about 400 MW), and nearly 300 MW on the Ntem River, with additional potential in the Northeast.

The GRC, primarily through the Ministry of Water and Energy (MINEE) and state utilities such as Energy of Cameroon (ENEO), leads these initiatives. Financing comes from public budgets and multilateral lenders, including the African Development Bank and World Bank. U.S. firms can participate in biomass and hydropower development, engineering services, and equipment supply. Major projects include the 420 MW Nachtigal Hydropower Project, the proposed 1,800 MW Grand Eweng Project, and the 300 MW Minkouma Hydropower Project, all led by the government in partnership with state utilities and, in some cases, U.S. companies such as General Electric and Hydromine.

Despite this potential, Cameroon’s energy sector faces frequent electricity outages and low rural electrification.

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