The international market sounding for the rehabilitation of Cameroon’s National Refining Company (SONARA) closed on June 30, 2026. Since then, some commentators have framed the moment as a rivalry: SONARA’s restructuring through Parras 24 versus the new Cstar refinery project at the Port of Kribi-Mboro. However, the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) sees it differently and wants both projects accelerated.
BEAC Takes a Position on Energy Resilience
In its economic outlook report, “Inflation Trends in the CEMAC Zone at the End of March and Short- and Medium-Term Prospects,” BEAC clearly came out in favor of “energy resilience” across the CEMAC zone. Specifically, the central bank strongly recommends “accelerating energy diversification” and “reducing dependence on refined products” to strengthen the resilience of CEMAC economies.
BEAC’s position lands at a moment of active momentum. The main stakeholders behind both the SONARA handover plan (Parras 24) and the Cstar project are actively working toward implementation. At the closing ceremony of the market sounding event, Finance Minister Louis Paul Motaze shared information that helped restore confidence in the SONARA project. Over two days, government brought together investors, financial institutions, investment banks, oil companies, engineering firms, and technical partners. Their shared goal: preparing SONARA’s revival through an innovative public-private partnership.
“Seven years after the fire of May 31, 2019, which interrupted refining activities in Limbe, Cameroon has taken a decisive step,” the Ministry of Finance said. “This international consultation has made it possible to test market interest, assess the financing conditions of the project and gather recommendations from future partners in order to build a solid, bankable and attractive project.”
Parras 24: Rebuilding SONARA
Overall, the Parras 24 plan carries a budget of FCFA 300 billion. It covers the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged units, plus the modernization of strategic facilities, including the Hydrocracker unit. The plan uses a Design-Build-Finance-Maintain public-private partnership model covering design, construction, financing, and maintenance within a 24-month timeframe.
Beyond rebuilding the refinery itself, the project aims to restore national refining capacity and reduce dependence on petroleum product imports. It should also strengthen energy security and sovereignty, improve the trade balance, and support Cameroon’s industrialization and economic resilience.
Cstar: A New Refinery Takes Shape in Kribi
Ultimately, for BEAC, the message is clear: rehabilitate local refining capacity, but also accelerate construction on the new Cstar refinery. This FCFA 120 billion project is being led by the National Hydrocarbons Company (SNH), Tradex Cameroon, and the Ariana/RCG consortium.
“The strategic objective of creating Cstar is to diversify and expand refining capacity in a context of growing demand for refined petroleum products,” SNH explains. “This dynamic aims to build an integrated ecosystem in which Cstar and Sonara collaborate to serve energy sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, and national development.”
The Numbers Behind Cstar
The Cstar modular refinery is projected to reach 30,000 barrels per day by 2028. Production will start at an initial 10,000 barrels per day. A few figures illustrate the project’s scale:
- Annual production: 1.8 million metric tons (roughly 1.8 million cubic meters)
- Import reduction: about $750 million, or roughly FCFA 435 billion per year — representing 30% of national consumption
- Marine fuel exports: an estimated $250 million, or more than FCFA 250 billion per year
- Foreign exchange savings: approximately $1 billion, or more than FCFA 580 billion per year
A 250-Hectare Integrated Energy Hub
The modern, integrated refinery project also includes a strategic petroleum product storage facility. Both use project finance, and both sit on a shared 250-hectare site near the autonomous port of Kribi. Cstar’s foundation stone was laid on July 17, 2025, in Kribi.
The integrated refinery itself will refine Cameroonian crude oil locally. It will produce a full range of finished products including Euro V diesel, gasoline, VLSFO, MGO, asphalt, LPG, and petrochemical derivatives.
The strategic storage facility, meanwhile, will hold 250,000 metric tons of capacity (expandable), distributed as follows:
- 100,000 metric tons of diesel
- 100,000 metric tons of premium gasoline
- 30,000 metric tons of Jet A1 jet fuel
- 20,000 metric tons of kerosene
“Cstar remains attentive to stakeholders and reaffirms its commitment to act with transparency, responsibility and in partnership with the State, for a stronger, more resilient and inclusive energy future,” SNH says. “This is in line with the ambition of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul Biya, to make Cameroon a major strategic and industrial hub in Central Africa.”
