Cameroon’s SNH Launches Refinery Project

Cameroon’s national oil company, SNH, along with its subsidiary Tradex and a consortium comprised of construction companies Ariana and RCG, has launched the CSTAR Refinery project in Lolabé, within the Kribi industrial-port zone. The modular refinery is expected to process up to 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day and will occupy a 250-hectare site.

The construction of the project, with an estimated cost of 115 billion FCFA, has been awarded to engineering firm RCG Turnkey Solutions in partnership with service provider Global Process Systems and Chinese group Norinco. Construction is scheduled to last 18 months, with commissioning targeted for June 2028.

The facility will include a fuel storage terminal with an initial capacity of 250,000 to 300,000 m³ covering diesel, gasoline, jet A1, kerosene and heavy fuel oil. The project is also projected to generate 141 billion FCFA in export revenues and create 2,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs, alongside a transfer of technical skills to the local workforce.

With national demand estimated at 1.9 million metric tons per year, current storage capacity of 270,000 cubic meters remains below regulatory requirements. Authorities expect the CSTAR project to reduce fuel imports by 30%, saving up to 400 billion FCFA annually.