Cameroon’s state-owned electricity company, Socadel, has launched two tenders worth a combined CFA52.622 billion, including taxes, to purchase heavy fuel oil and diesel for 33 thermal power plants across the country. The procurement is intended to meet operating requirements, with financing drawn from the company’s 2026 and 2027 budgets depending on the contract.
Dated October 13, 2026, the tenders were published on October 19 by the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency. The larger contract, valued at CFA36.715 billion, covers HFO 3500 heavy fuel oil for facilities in Limbé, Dibamba, Oyomabang and Logbaba. It is split into two lots: CFA17.384 billion for Limbé and CFA19.331 billion for the other three facilities.
The agreement provides for a minimum of 35,327 metric tons of heavy fuel oil, with an indicative maximum of 70,653 tons. Deliveries will be made through purchase orders according to operational requirements. The framework agreement will run for 15 months from the order to commence services.
Diesel Tender Allocates Most Funding to Northern Plants
The second tender, worth CFA15.907 billion, covers low fuel oil (LFO) diesel for 29 plants. Divided into seven lots, it sets a minimum supply of about 8.94 million litres and a potential maximum of 17.87 million litres, depending on demand.
The largest lot, valued at CFA9.519 billion, covers Djamboutou, Guider, Kousseri and Maroua. It accounts for 59.8% of the diesel budget and provides for between 4.83 million and 9.66 million litres. Another lot, worth CFA2.109 billion, covers Banyo, Tignère, Touboro, Ngaoundéré, Garoua-Boulaï and Ngaoundal. The remaining lots serve facilities in the Centre, East, South, Northwest and Southwest regions.
The fuel procurement follows a separate Socadel tender dated October 4 for an additional 10 MW of thermal generation capacity at Djamboutou, Maroua and Ngaoundéré. The project is estimated to cost CFA9.361 billion and is intended to help address electricity shortages at the thermal power plants during periods of low water levels in the Benue River basin, which supplies the Lagdo Dam.
Suppliers Face Financing and Storage Requirements
Diesel bidders must finance fuel purchases, storage, transportation and delivery without an advance payment from Socadel. They must also demonstrate sufficient financial resources and revenue for the lots they seek.
For the heavy fuel oil contract, bidders must provide a bank certificate confirming at least CFA5 billion in financing capacity and average annual revenue of at least CFA10 billion over their last three audited financial years. They must also have suitable storage facilities and maintain a physical inventory of at least 4,000 tons of heavy fuel oil.
Both contracts will operate through framework agreements, with deliveries determined by purchase orders rather than a single fixed supply. The combined CFA52.622 billion is an estimated procurement value, not expenditure already made. The heavy fuel oil contract runs for 15 months and draws on 2026 and 2027 budgets; the diesel contract must be completed within four months using 2026 funds.
Suppliers have until November 3, 2026, to submit bids. The diesel tender closes at 1 p.m., followed by the heavy fuel oil tender at 2 p.m.