Industrialisation of palm oil sector: Minister lays foundation stone of OPALM plant in Mbanga.

The ceremony was attended by the Governor of the Littoral Region, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, and the Senior Divisional Officer for Moungo, Yves Bertrand Noël Ndjana, as well as a host of other officials.

With an investment estimated at nine billion FCFA, the Lengué oil mill will have an annual production capacity of 25,000 tons of crude palm oil. 

The facility is designed to process palm nuts sourced from over 300 local producers, ensuring a guaranteed market for farmers in the Moungo production basin.

Beyond production, the project, according to officials carries significant socio-economic implications. 

It is expected to generate approximately 450 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect employment opportunities, while also stimulating the local economy through the injection of billions of FCFA annually. 

In addition, OPALM has committed to opening and maintaining 170 kilometers of rural roads, a move aimed at improving access to farms and facilitating the transport of agricultural produce.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Mbairobe insisted on the importance of industrialising agricultural sectors to boost national development. 

He highlighted that the project aligns with the government’s broader strategy to promote local processing, reduce dependency on imports, and create added value within the country.

The initiative, he said is part of a wider OPALM programme that envisions the construction of five industrial oil mills across the country, representing a total investment of 45 billion FCFA. 

The programme aims to produce up to 108,000 tons of crude palm oil annually, contributing to efforts to bridge the gap between national production and demand, which currently exceeds 400,000 tons per year.

According to officials, in addition to industrial processing, OPALM plans to support producers by improving agricultural yields. 

Through technical assistance and better farming practices, the company aims to significantly increase output per hectare, thereby boosting farmers’ incomes and reducing post-harvest losses.

Authorities noted that the Lengué oil mill project is expected to reshape the economic landscape of the Moungo Division by creating stable outlets for producers and fostering a more structured value chain. 

“By integrating production, processing, and logistics, the initiative underscores the growing role of public-private partnerships in advancing the country’s agricultural transformation agenda,” an official stated.

For experts, despite the country’s strong agricultural potential, it continues to rely heavily on imports of refined palm oil, as such they view local processing as a key solution to reducing this dependency and improving the trade balance, in line with the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2030.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3760 of Tuesday April 14, 2026