Cameroon faces energy crisis and domestic gas shortages

Cameroon is facing significant energy and fuel challenges, characterized by an ongoing electricity crisis and a growing shortage of domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Célestin Tawamba, president of Gecam, has highlighted the structural bottlenecks affecting the national productive fabric, noting that 65% of Cameroonian companies must rely on expensive generators to maintain operations due to unstable and costly electricity.

Simultaneously, the domestic gas market is under strain. While the Société camerounaise des dépôts pétroliers (SCDP) reports that stocks are available and demand has risen by 33.5% between 2024 and 2025, distribution remains difficult. In cities like Douala and Yaoundé, households face shortages. A major factor is the near-disappearance of SCTM gas bottles, which held 38% of the market, due to an unpaid debt of approximately 4 billion FCFA to the SCDP. Additionally, the departure of the Norwegian floating factory ship, Hilli Episeyo, has impacted local production capacity.