Central Africa Pipeline System: CABEF, Communicators Network engage to boost visibility.

The session was held at the CABEF headquarters in Douala 

The meeting focused on developing a robust communication strategy to accompany the deployment of CAPS and improve public understanding, investor confidence and regional visibility of the project.

It was attended by CABEF Chairwoman, Nathalie Lum, and the network's president, Joseph Emmanuel Ba’ana.

Speaking at the event, Ba’ana commended the leadership of Nathalie Lum and her initiatives to place energy and mining issues in Central Africa at the forefront of regional development discussions.

He particularly highlighted the structuring of CAPS as an important step towards strengthening the region’s energy infrastructure and advancing energy sovereignty.

Ba’ana also cited the recent second edition of CABEF Beyond Borders in Dongying, China, describing the event as an opportunity that created direct operational links between African petroleum and mining companies and Chinese investors.

According to the network, the experience further demonstrated CABEF’s growing role as a business platform connecting African energy-sector stakeholders with international investment opportunities.

Communication strategy for CAPS

With CAPS expected to become a major regional infrastructure project, the communications professionals stressed the importance of building public understanding and confidence around the initiative.

Ba’ana reaffirmed the network’s readiness to contribute its territorial reach and professional expertise to the project, particularly in Cameroon and across the Central African sub-region. The proposed communication approach will focus on three major areas.

The first is public education and social acceptance, through information kits, simplified explanatory materials and multi-platform content aimed at helping communities understand the potential impact of CAPS, including its implications for energy access, poverty reduction and employment.

The second is investment attractiveness and corporate social responsibility, involving the production of investor toolkits, ESG and CSR impact materials and transparency briefs designed to support financing efforts and provide greater assurance to institutional lenders and other potential investors.

The third is media packaging and international visibility, with the network proposing to support press coverage, audiovisual production and public relations efforts to promote CABEF initiatives and CAPS-related developments internationally.

Stakeholders also seek to mobilise the financing and public support required for the ambitious pipeline project.

CAPS is presented by the network as a potential backbone for Central Africa’s energy infrastructure, with its proposed 6,500-kilometre pipeline network expected to contribute to regional energy integration and security.

MoU to formalise partnership

The September 9 meeting also laid the groundwork for a formal partnership between CABEF and the communications network. The two institutions agreed to finalise an upcoming Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, which will formalise collaboration and facilitate closer engagement between energy-sector decision-makers and communication professionals.

Under the planned partnership, members of the communications network are expected to benefit from privileged access to CABEF events and initiatives, enabling them to remain closely connected to major projects, meetings and developments in Africa’s energy sector.

The collaboration is also intended to strengthen the quality of information available on energy, hydrocarbons and mining, while encouraging greater interaction between journalists, communication professionals and industry stakeholders.

It was said that, the partnership will help develop content capable of improving public understanding of the opportunities and challenges surrounding these strategic sectors.

They have both planned signing of a framework agreement for CAPS in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on September 29, 2026.

Ba'ana believes that effective communication will be critical to building the social and institutional support required for the project, particularly as stakeholders pursue financing and engage communities along its potential route.

The planned MoU between CABEF and the communications professionals is therefore expected to provide a structured framework for sustained communication and media engagement around CAPS and other strategic energy initiatives.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3909 of Monday September 14, 2026