155
Cameroon has taken another major step in boosting electricity supply to its key industries, especially in the southern region. On August 6, 2025, the country’s Minister of Water and Energy, Mr Gaston Eloundou Essomba, officially launched the construction of a new 225 kilovolt (kV) high-voltage transmission line in Kribi, located in the South Region of the country. The project is being handled by Sonatrel, which is the national electricity transmission company.
According to government officials, this major electricity project will connect the 216-megawatt Kribi gas-fired power plant directly to a brand-new 225 kV transformer substation that is currently under construction at Kribi Port. The transmission line is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Once finished, it will provide a dedicated power supply to industries working inside the Kribi industrial-port zone, which is one of the country’s biggest emerging business hubs.
The total value of this new power project is CFA35 billion, although authorities have not stated the specific cost of the transmission line itself. According to the Kribi Autonomous Port (PAK), the new transformer substation will initially meet electricity demands estimated at 100 megawatts (MW). But looking ahead, it will be able to handle between 330 MW and 400 MW, which will be needed to support large-scale industrial activities expected to start soon in the region.
The Kribi industrial-port zone has been identified by the government of Cameroon as a strategic area for national industrial growth, especially for energy-hungry businesses like cement production, mineral processing, and heavy manufacturing. To support this vision, the substation is being designed to not only link to the Kribi Power Development Corporation (KPDC) gas plant but also connect to other key power stations across the country.
These include the Memve’ele hydroelectric plant with a capacity of 211 MW, Nachtigal (420 MW), Songloulou (384 MW), and Edéa (276 MW). All of these stations will be connected through existing relay systems to ensure that even if one source is down, the supply of electricity to the Kribi zone will continue without interruption.
A statement released by PAK on August 5 explained that the full configuration of this transmission system will solve current difficulties in transporting power from areas like Nachtigal to Cameroon’s high-demand industrial zones. They added that the new substation and transmission line will give industries a more reliable and secure power supply, something that many companies have been requesting for years.
Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba, while speaking during the launch event, said the project will play a big role in Cameroon’s industrialization efforts. He noted that a stable and dedicated energy supply is key for attracting foreign and local investors who are ready to build factories and create jobs.
Experts also say that the project is not just about power. It will also boost job creation, both during the construction stage and later when operations begin. Local contractors, engineers, and suppliers are expected to benefit. The new energy infrastructure will also help strengthen the financial position of Cameroon’s electricity sector by increasing power sales and attracting more industrial clients.
The government hopes that with more power available, Kribi will grow into Cameroon’s main industrial energy hub and possibly become a major energy and logistics centre in the Central African region. This move is in line with the country’s ambition to become an emerging economy by 2035.
It will also reduce Cameroon’s over-reliance on older power infrastructure and promote better distribution of electricity across key zones. By focusing on energy reliability, Cameroon is trying to solve a challenge that has affected several African countries for years—how to combine industrial development with sustainable electricity supply.
For now, the construction work continues as Sonatrel and the contractors move to deliver on time. By end of 2026, businesses in the Kribi area and surrounding regions may finally enjoy the kind of power supply needed to drive big factories and modern industries.
