Cameroon Targets 2027 Restart for Sonara Refinery to Reduce Fuel Imports and Boost Energy Security
Cameroon is set to restart its 42,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) Sonara refinery by 2027 through a comprehensive restructuring and recovery program, officially approved this month.
The board endorsed the rehabilitation framework, named Parras 24, on August 13, establishing a 24-month schedule for repairs and operational restructuring.
Government support is expected to play a decisive role in resolving the refinery’s financial and operational challenges.
In an official statement, Sonara said the program aims to relaunch core operations and ensure a continuous supply of petroleum products.
The company also assured partners and customers that the market would remain well supplied in both quantity and quality throughout the rehabilitation period.
Since halting operations, the refinery has accumulated debts of CFA376 billion by 2021, with repair costs expected to exceed CFA250 billion.
A 2019 fire damaged four critical units at Cameroon’s only refinery, forcing the country to rely almost entirely on fuel imports to meet domestic demand.
Sonara has a crude processing capacity of 2.1 million tonnes annually, with the state owning nearly all shares, except for Total’s 4% stake.
Because it is the sole refinery serving Cameroon, any delay in restarting operations could worsen supply vulnerabilities and trigger severe fuel shortages.
The prolonged shutdown has weakened Cameroon’s downstream oil sector, increased dependence on imports, strained foreign exchange reserves, and widened the trade deficit.
The restart still faces challenges, including technical upgrades, supply chain restructuring, and modernization programs needed to ensure long-term competitiveness.
Analysts note that reviving the refinery could reduce import dependence, stabilize domestic fuel prices, and strengthen Cameroon’s role in regional energy markets.
Refining capacity across West and Central Africa remains below demand, with Nigeria heavily reliant on imports, despite the Dangote refinery, and smaller plants in Chad, Gabon, and Congo-Brazzaville operating far below capacity.
If the Sonara refinery resumes operations, it could help bridge the regional supply gap, cut reliance on European imports, and reinforce Cameroon as a key Gulf of Guinea energy supplier.
However, the project must still overcome hurdles in financing, technical upgrades, and compliance with cleaner fuel standards to succeed.
