Kribi Oil Refinery Set for Early Start in 2026, to Produce 10,000 Barrels a Day
By Synthia Lateu
The Kribi oil refinery is expected to begin partial operations in the second half of 2026, nearly two years ahead of its original schedule.
The refinery, developed by Cstar Petroleum, is part of Cameroon’s efforts to reduce its heavy dependence on imported fuel, which has strained public finances and foreign exchange reserves since the shutdown of the state-owned Sonara refinery in 2019.
Project promoters say the decision to fast-track operations follows the presentation of an “early production” plan to Cstar’s board in December 2025.
According to the company, the operational phase of construction will begin in January 2026.
Under the plan, the refinery would initially process about 10,000 barrels of crude oil per day, roughly one-third of its planned full capacity of 30,000 barrels per day. At this level, it is expected to cover around 22% of Cameroon’s demand for diesel and petrol, while work continues toward full commissioning.
Cameroon’s National Hydrocarbons Company (SNH), the main local shareholder, has already financed a third of the project’s Front-End Engineering Design studies, as well as the entire tank farm, using its own funds. Tradex SA and Ariana Energy also back the project.
Officials say the refinery is expected to play a key role in strengthening Cameroon’s energy security. Once fully operational, it could cut fuel imports by nearly one-third, saving the country an estimated 680 million dollars (about 380 billion CFA francs) a year. It is also projected to generate around 250 million dollars (approximately 141 billion CFA francs) annually in exports and create more than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Cameroon currently imports most of its refined petroleum products from countries including Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and France, with additional supplies sourced from the Middle East and Asia
