Cameroon Approves Ambitious $400 Million Plan to Revive Fire-Damaged Sonara Refinery
Cameroon has formally approved a comprehensive 24-month rehabilitation program to restore its only oil refinery, shuttered since a devastating fire in 2019. The recovery framework, known as Parras 24, was approved during a board meeting on August 13 and sets out an aggressive roadmap to revive operations at the 42,000-barrel-per-day Sonara refinery by 2027.
The project faces steep financial challenges with repair costs estimated at more than CFA250 billion ($400 million). By 2021, Sonara had already accumulated debts of CFA376 billion, underscoring the scale of its financial strain. The 2019 fire destroyed four key units, forcing Cameroon to rely almost entirely on fuel imports to cover domestic demand.
Sonara officials emphasized that government support will be essential to overcome the refinery’s financial and operational challenges. The company assured customers that markets will remain adequately supplied during the rehabilitation phase, stating that “the supply of refined products on the national and international market will continue in both quantity and quality until the full restart of the refinery.”
With an annual capacity of 2.1 million tonnes, Sonara is the sole refinery serving the national market, making its recovery vital for energy security. The successful revival could reduce Cameroon’s dependence on imports, stabilize local fuel prices, and strengthen its position in regional energy markets where refining capacity remains well below demand.
Source: angolanminingoilandgas.com
