• Cameroon plans a partial start-up of the Kribi refinery at 10,000 barrels per day in H2 2026.
• The revised timeline accelerates the project by nearly two years versus the initial 2028 target.
• The refinery targets fuel import substitution and energy security after the shutdown of Sonara.

Cameroon plans the Kribi refinery as one of its most visible energy infrastructure projects, with a designed capacity of 30,000 barrels per day. The project aims to reduce fuel imports and meet domestic demand estimated at 1.9 million tonnes per year.

Cstar Petroleum, the project company backed by the National Hydrocarbons Corporation, Tradex, and Ariana Energy, prepares a partial start-up scenario for the refinery under construction at the port of Kribi.

Sources cited by Business in Cameroon say the promoters presented a “production acceleration” schedule to Cstar’s board in December 2025. The plan provides for a ramp-up to 10,000 barrels per day in the second half of 2026.

A source close to the project says the plan targets initial operations at roughly one-third of the refinery’s final capacity of 30,000 barrels per day.

Cstar estimates this first operating phase could cover about 22% of national diesel and gasoline demand, pending completion of construction and commissioning of all processing units.

If confirmed, the revised schedule would accelerate the project timeline. Project promoters initially planned commissioning for June 2028 at the time of project launch.

The refinery and storage project officially launched on July 17, 2025, on a site located within the Kribi port zone.

Cstar said in a recent communication that “operational” construction work would begin in January 2026, following a board meeting held on Dec. 6, 2025, in Dubai.

The project spans 250 hectares and includes a refinery with capacity of 30,000 barrels per day and a fuel storage terminal of about 250,000 cubic meters, expandable to 300,000 cubic meters.

Project estimates put total cost at about CFA115 billion ($204.6 million), pending finalization of technical studies.

A consortium comprising RCG Turnkey Solutions, Global Process Systems, and Norinco International leads construction works. BGFI Cameroon holds the mandate to raise CFA120 billion and acts as agent bank for the financing structure.

The project aligns with Cameroon’s push for “energy sovereignty” following the shutdown of the Sonara refinery. Cameroon’s annual fuel demand stands at about 1.9 million metric tonnes, while national storage capacity totals roughly 270,000 cubic meters. Authorities target storage capacity of about 470,000 cubic meters to meet security stock and commercial requirements.

Promoter projections point to a 30% reduction in fuel imports and annual savings close to CFA400 billion. The projections also include estimated export revenues of CFA141 billion, notably from marine fuels. Cstar also forecasts creation of about 2,000 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs.

Cstar Petroleum structures the project around two entities: Cstar Tank Farm for the storage terminal and Cstar Refinery for refining operations. The company says full-capacity operations, combined with future biofuel units, could cover nearly 70% of domestic fuel needs.

Cstar was created by the National Hydrocarbons Corporation and its marketer Tradex S.A. Ariana Energy holds 49% of the capital, Tradex holds 31%, and the National Hydrocarbons Corporation holds 20%.

Ludovic Amara