The Dangote Group has unveiled plans to establish a petroleum products storage terminal in Cameroon, a strategic move aimed at strengthening the distribution network of its 650,000-barrel-per-day Lekki Refinery and deepening its presence across Central Africa.
The proposal was presented to Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, by the Group’s Vice President for Oil, Gas and Fertiliser, Devakumar Edwin.
If approved, the project would create a strategic fuel storage facility designed to improve petroleum supply security in Cameroon while serving as a major distribution hub for refined products from the Dangote Refinery. The proposal also includes the possibility of constructing a pipeline network to transport petroleum products, reducing reliance on road transportation, lowering logistics costs, and minimizing environmental impact.
Although discussions are ongoing, no formal agreement has been reached. Critical details—including the proposed location, storage capacity, investment cost, project timeline, and ownership structure—have not yet been disclosed.
The planned terminal would significantly enhance Dangote’s ability to supply not only Cameroon but also neighboring landlocked countries such as Chad and the Central African Republic, which depend heavily on Cameroonian ports for fuel imports. By positioning fuel reserves closer to consumers, the project is expected to shorten delivery times, improve supply efficiency, and reduce distribution costs across the region.
For Cameroon, the investment could strengthen energy security by diversifying fuel supply sources, provided it aligns with the country’s regulatory framework, pricing policies, and strategic petroleum reserve plans.
The proposal comes as Cameroon is already investing heavily in expanding its fuel storage infrastructure. The National Petroleum Storage Company is constructing a new terminal in Kribi with a storage capacity of 230,000 cubic meters for refined petroleum products and an additional 40,000 metric tonnes for liquefied petroleum gas.
Another major project—the CSTAR Tank Farm, backed by Ariana Energy, Tradex, and the National Hydrocarbons Corporation—is expected to add between 250,000 and 300,000 cubic meters of storage capacity for diesel, petrol, aviation fuel, kerosene, and heavy fuel oil.
Together, these developments are projected to add at least 480,000 cubic meters of new liquid fuel storage capacity, significantly boosting Cameroon’s downstream petroleum sector.
Should Dangote’s proposal receive approval, it would mark the company’s entry into Cameroon’s downstream oil and gas industry, complementing its existing cement manufacturing operations in Douala.
The proposed investment also reflects the Dangote Group’s broader strategy of building an integrated regional fuel distribution network centered on the Lekki Refinery, which continues to expand exports to markets across Africa and beyond.
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