Kribi Hydrocarbons Terminal: SCDP, PAK partner to ease implementation.

The visit marked a major milestone in the implementation of one of Cameroon’s most ambitious energy sovereignty projects.

It took place on June 5, 2026 in Kribi, Ocean Division of the South Region. Prior to the inspection tour at the site located in Mboro, where the port area is located, the General Manager of SCDP, Véronique Manzoua Moampea Mbio, and that of the PAK, Patrice Melom, signed various deeds of protocol to facilitate project execution. 

This, it should be said, came barely two weeks after the Presidency of the Republic communicated President Paul Biya’s approval for the financing of the project, paving the way for the commencement of its implementation phase.

Officials have described the future terminal as a strategic investment designed to transform Cameroon’s petroleum logistics chain, strengthen national energy security and position the country as a key energy hub within the Central African sub-region.

Speaking during the site visit, the General Manager of SCDP, Véronique Manzoua Moampea Mbio, said the event represented the culmination of more than 15 years of planning and preparation.

“We are standing today on a site that we have coveted for over 15 years. This is where a petroleum depot will be constructed with a first-phase storage capacity of 140,000 cubic metres of refined petroleum products and 12,000 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas,” she stated.

She said the project is part of a broader vision to modernise Cameroon’s downstream petroleum sector and guarantee long-term energy sovereignty and security.

The SCDP General Manager paied tribute to President Paul Biya for supporting investments in petroleum infrastructure through the Integrated Investment Programme for the Downstream Petroleum Sector.

According to her, the presidential approval granted for the use of dedicated infrastructure funds has now enabled the project to move from planning to implementation.

She said the future terminal would help resolve long-standing challenges linked to petroleum product logistics and storage capacities, while reducing the country's vulnerability to supply disruptions.

Moampea Mbio noted that the choice of the Port of Kribi is due to that fact that it offers unique advantages compared to the Port of Douala, particularly its deep-water characteristics, which allow it to receive large-capacity vessels.

She explained that while several vessels are often needed to transport quantities of fuel that could be delivered by a single tanker in Kribi, the new infrastructure would generate substantial economies of scale and significantly reduce import-related costs.

Additionally, she said delays in maritime operations often result in considerable additional expenses that ultimately weigh on the State and consumers.

“The Port of Kribi offers guarantees in terms of capacity, fluidity, available space and security. It allows us to receive large vessels and significantly reduce logistics costs associated with fuel imports,” she said.

The first phase of the project, officials noted, will comprise storage facilities with a capacity of 140,000 cubic metres of liquid hydrocarbons and 12,000 metric tonnes of domestic gas. 

Long-term projections indicate that Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, storage capacity could eventually reach 30,000 metric tonnes. Project officials disclosed that construction works are expected to last approximately 30 months.

PAK's GM explains importance to maritime dev’t 

For his part, the General Manager of PAK, Patrice Melom, stressed the importance of synchronising the development of the maritime and logistics components of the project.

He explained that while SCDP would be responsible for storage and distribution facilities, PAK would oversee the construction of the specialised maritime infrastructure necessary for handling petroleum products. 

“We have every interest in ensuring that the maritime component and the logistics component evolve harmoniously and are completed at the same time,” Melom said.

He described the future hydrocarbons terminal as a specialised port facility that will include a dedicated berth capable of receiving large petroleum tankers, marine loading arms, a pipeline network and a manifold platform connecting different industrial operators.

According to him, the project will involve the construction of a quay capable of accommodating vessels measuring up to 230 metres in length and a pipeline extending approximately 900 metres to a manifold zone where various operators will be able to connect their installations.

Melom said that the terminal would become a strategic component of the Kribi Industrial-Port Complex and complement other specialised facilities planned for the area, including future mining and industrial terminals.

He added that the project would enable the port to fulfil its mission of facilitating investments and industrial activities, while generating additional revenues and supporting economic growth.

Aside its national significance, officials believe the Kribi Hydrocarbons Terminal will strengthen Cameroon’s role as an energy gateway for the Central African sub-region.

Landlocked countries such as Chad and Central African Republic depend heavily on Cameroon’s transport corridors for petroleum supplies. The new infrastructure is expected to improve storage and distribution capacities, while supporting growing regional demand.

Breakdown of the project history 

It should be noted that the history of the Kribi Hydrocarbons Terminal dates back to 2008 when SCDP initiated plans for the project as part of the Kribi Industrial-Port Complex. Over the years, technical studies, negotiations and concession arrangements gradually moved the project forward.

A major breakthrough was recorded in December 2025 with the signing of a tripartite memorandum of understanding between SCDP, PAK and the PARLYM/NEGRI consortium.

The project gained further momentum in May 2026 when SCDP Board Chairperson, Jean Fabien Monkam Nitcheu, announced the Head of State’s approval for its financing.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3812 of Tuesday June 09, 2026