Cameroon: Takeover of ENEO, a decisive move by President Paul Biya towards energy sovereignty
Cameroon- In a context of intense debate surrounding the re-election of President Paul Biya and national political tensions, the government has taken a historic step: acquiring 95% of energy utility ENEO’s capital for 78( billion CFA francs. This strategic repurchase marks a decisive turn in managing Cameroon’s troubled power sector, where chronic service failures have made energy governance a central national issue.
The move demonstrates the administration’s commitment to asserting direct control over vital national infrastructure.
By reclaiming this strategic sector, the government aims to address the structural challenges of ENEO, including financial imbalances that have caused payment delays to producers and tensions with grid operator SONATREL.
The state plans to implement debt refinancing and enforce strict payment discipline across the sector.
Beyond financial restructuring, the strategy includes modernizing operations through widespread meter installation, standardizing connections, and combating fraud that accounts for approximately 15% of system losses.
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The simultaneous development of a second energy corridor to Douala, adding 150MW capacity, reflects forward-looking planning to meet growing demand.
Politically, this decisive action signals the capacity of the government to implement concrete, nation-building policies despite contestation.
The move reasserts state sovereignty over strategic resources and demonstrates executive effectiveness in laying foundations for sustainable development.
At a time when governance is closely scrutinized, this energy sector takeover positions the state as a central actor driving national progress and stability.
Jean-Robert TCHANDY
