To modernise electricity network: Energy minister restates commitment to replace wooden poles.

This was during a working visit to the concrete pole manufacturing plant of Cameroon Infrastructures Company 30 S.A., commonly known as CIC 30 S.A., located in Nkometou in the Centre Region.

He was accompanied by several administrative and municipal authorities, representatives of the Cameroon Electricity Company, SOCADEL; the Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency, ARSEL; as well as traditional rulers from the locality. 

The minister and his delegation visited the raw material storage yard, the production line, the quality control laboratory, and the storage areas for finished products of the industrial complex. 

Officials of CIC 30 S.A. also used the visit to presente the various stages involved in the manufacturing of reinforced and prestressed concrete poles destined for rural and urban electrification projects.

According to the minister, changing wooden poles will significantly improve the stability and reliability of power supply nationwide.

The company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Albert Kouinche, revealed that more than 100,000 concrete poles have already been produced by the company since 2018. 

He further announced plans to expand the company’s industrial footprint with the opening of additional production units in Garoua, North West Region, and the South West Region.

According to Kouinche, the expansion aims to ensure better national coverage and respond to the increasing demand for modern electricity distribution infrastructure across the country.

The government’s renewed focus on concrete poles; we gathered, comes against the backdrop of growing concerns over the deteriorating condition of the national power distribution network. 

According to figures presented by the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy, Cameroon currently has nearly two million wooden electricity poles, with at least 40 percent considered defective or obsolete.

The dilapidated installations have frequently been blamed for repeated electricity disruptions, pole collapses, and maintenance challenges affecting both urban and rural communities.

Speaking during the visit, Minister Eloundou Essomba stressed that the transition to concrete poles is part of government’s strategy to build a more resilient and durable electricity network.

“This is one of the major reasons that led the government to undertake a progressive migration from wooden poles to concrete poles, which are more robust and guarantee a much longer life expectancy,” the minister declared.

He noted that the poles produced by CIC 30 S.A. are expected to play a strategic role in strengthening the security, reliability and stability of the national grid, especially at a time when the country is increasing electricity production through several ongoing and future energy projects.

The minister also praised the quality of the infrastructure manufactured by the company, revealing that the ministry has technical personnel permanently stationed at the site to ensure compliance with national standards.

“I went to the field myself and I was able to observe the quality of the work achieved. We actually have a staff member permanently present on-site, who guarantees us that the products put on the market are among the best in terms of quality and reliability,” he said.

Minister Eloundou Essomba emphasised that the market potential remains enormous as the country continues to expand its electrification projects.

“The market is open and the needs are immense, even more significant in the years to come. Government policy is clear: new electricity distribution networks must progressively be built with concrete poles, in order to guarantee greater stability, security, and durability of electrical infrastructure,” he stated.

According to officials, the modernisation of electricity distribution infrastructure is also closely linked to the objectives of the Energy Compact, a framework designed to accelerate reforms in the sector, improve electricity access and attract investments into energy infrastructure development.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3792 of Monday May 18, 2026