Cameroon’s domestic gas market is poised for a significant development with the launch of a competitive tender on September 1, 2026, seeking 60,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This initiative, signed by Okie Johnson Ndoh, president of the ad hoc Commission for Petroleum Product Imports (CIPP), divides the total volume into two distinct lots: 35,000 and 25,000 tonnes. Officially, the operation aims to satisfy 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 evaluation 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 logistical arrangements for transport have not yet been disclosed. These crucial parameters are expected to emerge following the technical assessment of the submitted proposals.
A volume equating to nearly five months of foreign purchases
When viewed against recent trade flows, the scale of this tender is quite substantial. The Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development (MINEPAT) in its 2025 Report on the Cameroonian Economy, drawing on data from the Directorate General of Customs, revealed that Cameroon imported 150,420 tonnes of liquefied butane last year. This figure marks an increase from 145,163 tonnes in 2024, representing a 3.6% year-on-year growth. This steady rise underscores a continuous surge in demand, driven by increasing urbanization and the ongoing transition away from wood-based energy sources.
Despite the higher volume, the customs bill actually saw a reduction, decreasing from 59.38 billion to 56.159 billion FCFA – a 5.4% decline. This favorable shift is attributed to a moderation in average import prices. 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 translates to approximately 4.8 million standard 12.5 kg gas cylinders. Based on an average customs value of around 373,348 FCFA per tonne last year, the theoretical value of this market could approach 22.4 billion FCFA. However, the final price will ultimately depend on the specific terms agreed upon and the negotiated delivery conditions.
Bipaga, a local buffer with limited capacity
Cameroon does possess domestic production capabilities through the Bipaga gas treatment center, situated in the South region and commissioned in 2018. The 2023 annual report from the National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH) indicated that 34,699 tonnes were supplied that year, an increase from 28,677 tonnes in 2022. This 21% progression marked the facility’s second-best performance since its inception. Nevertheless, these volumes remain structurally insufficient to meet the nation’s internal demand.
In July 2026, SNH confirmed that Bipaga is projected to maintain an annual LPG output of approximately 30,000 tonnes, even following the discontinuation of operations at the Hilli Episeyo floating unit. This baseline production level falls significantly short of the 150,420 tonnes imported in 2025. This substantial disparity highlights the Cameroonian market’s susceptibility to external shocks, whether logistical or price-related, thereby justifying the frequent consultations initiated by the CSPH to secure consistent supplies.
An issue of energy security and price stability
The tender launched on September 1 thus pursues two intertwined objectives. Firstly, it aims to preempt any potential risk of supply disruptions during the final quarter of 2026, especially critical in a nation where butane gas serves as the primary urban domestic fuel. Secondly, authorities are endeavoring to manage the budgetary impact associated with the implicit subsidy on bottled gas prices, a long-standing burden on public finances managed through the CSPH’s stabilization mechanism.
Ultimately, the true implications 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 selected offers will also indicate whether the government intends to prioritize existing operators within the Cameroonian market or open opportunities to new international traders.
