The day after its takeover by the State, following Eneo's departure, the Cameroon Electricity Corporation (Socadel) is going on the offensive to stabilize the national grid. On October 4, 2026, the public utility's management formalized the launch of six direct-agreement consultations and open tenders, made public on October 8 by the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ARMP). Covering a total estimated amount of 44.54 billion CFA francs, this investment package comprises four international contracts valued at 34.16 billion CFA francs and two national consultations estimated at 10.37 billion CFA francs, with bids expected as early as this October.


The operational urgency is concentrated in the three northern regions, which rely on the Lagdo dam and are exposed to secular low-water periods. To secure the Northern Interconnected Grid (RIN), a first contract worth 9.36 billion CFA francs is allocated to the emergency acquisition and installation of twelve containerized 1,500 kVA generator sets, representing a cumulative capacity of 10 MW. This technical setup will bolster the Djamboutou plant in Garoua (5 MW), as well as the thermal plants in Maroua (3 MW) and Ngaoundéré (2 MW). Of this envelope, 8.59 billion will finance electromechanical equipment, with the remainder split between civil engineering (417.4 million CFA francs) and fire safety-cooling systems (357.8 million CFA francs).

In parallel, a second notice worth 1.014 billion CFA francs targets the rehabilitation of the existing thermal fleet to inject an additional 8 MW into the RIN.


These maintenance works involve the supply of spare parts for the Cummins units in Garoua, Maroua, and Ngaoundéré (799 million CFA francs), as well as for the Caterpillar units in Kousseri (214.7 million CFA francs).

The densest component of the emergency program absorbs 34.16 billion CFA francs spread across four international consultations aimed at ending the equipment shortages paralyzing operations. The main item, estimated at 14.65 billion CFA francs, is dedicated to the acquisition of medium and low-voltage cables and conductors. The other lots provide for 9.37 billion CFA francs for 476 medium-voltage cells and protection switchgear, 6.72 billion for the purchase of 709 distribution transformers and two autotransformers, and 3.41 billion for overhead line hardware and insulators.


Included in the 2026-2027 recovery plan estimated at 107 billion CFA francs, this equipment plan nevertheless raises the question of cash mobilization. Charged to the operator's 2026 investment budget, these acquisitions will have to rely on the 60 billion CFA franc banking arrangement mandate announced in the summer, alongside the 200 billion CFA franc debt restructuring operation led by the financial supervisory authority.


Nlend Flore

Tags: socadel électricité cameroun appels d'offres investissement réseau interconnecté nord garoua maroua ngaoundéré barrage de lagdo