Tiles production: New KEDA GM reviews partnership with SNH, unveils expansion vision.

SNH, it should be said, began supplying natural gas required for the operation of the KEDA plant through the 5.27km pipeline connected to the Bipaga natural gas processing centre, on June 7, 2024. The pipeline was constructed by SNH and its French partner, PERENCO. 

The win-win partnership between SNH and KEDA, it should be said, serves Cameroon’s vision for emergence and the promotion of local industry, which President Paul Biya advocates. 

The visiting delegation from the Chinese group was led by its new General Manager, HAN DU. 

The delegation was received on behalf of the Executive General of SNH by the Technical Advisor No. 2 at corporation, Nathalie Moudiki. 

Discussions between officials of both institutions touched on KEDA’s impressive results. The visiting delegation also seized the opportunity to announce expansion projects for the production line. 

The meeting also provided an opportunity for both delegations to discuss the ongoing improvement of working conditions for employees at the Kribi plant.

Beyond creating over a hundred jobs, KEDA contributes to reducing tile and ceramic imports in Cameroon, thereby promoting the Made in Cameroon brand. 

With the supply of natural gas, KEDA is boosted to produce tiles in all categories, based on local raw materials such as sand, clay among others. KEDA aims to meet local demand and also export to Central African countries. 

It runs from the gas treatment centre built some ten years ago by SNH and PERENCO, under the Sanaga South Association, to produce natural gas reserves of Sanaga South field off the coast of Kribi. 

Officials had said the pipeline will help meet the initial natural gas need for the KEDA plant, which is estimated at between 3.5 and 6.5 million cubic feet of gas (100,000 to 184,000 cubic metres) per day. 

The natural gas makes it possible for the KEDA company to have adequate temperatures, which was difficult to have with electricity, in order to produce good quality tiles.

“Indeed, by making natural gas available to KEDA, SNH is enabling the Chinese group, recognised as one of the world leaders in ceramics, to produce 50,000m² of tiles per year. This will contribute to a considerable reduction in ceramic imports and will inevitably have a beneficial effect on our country's balance of trade,” Nathalie Moudiki had said during the launching of the natural gas supply on behalf of SNH boss.  

She had also explained that by supplying sufficient energy to KEDA factory, SNH is setting a remarkable milestone for the Kribi industrial zone. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3759 of Monday April 13, 2026