The industrialization drive of Cameroon’s palm oil sector has reached a new milestone. Following the signing of investment agreements with the Cameroonian government on December 22, 2025 in Yaoundé, Opalm has moved into the operational phase of its industrial program, backed by a total investment of CFA 45 billion for the construction of five processing units.
By the end of 2025, as part of its plan to build and operate five palm nut processing plants, Opalm signed two investment agreements with the Government of Cameroon one with the Ministries of Agriculture (MINADER), Trade and Industry (MINCOMMERCE), and another incentive approval agreement with the Investment Promotion Agency (API). In addition, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Opalm signed a set of specifications defining the ecosystem and synergies among value chain stakeholders to ensure better support for palm nut producers.
These agreements, concluded in the presence of administrative authorities and sector stakeholders, legally frame the deployment of a structuring project aimed at increasing the local supply of crude palm oil and reducing the national deficit by 50%.
An industrial scaling strategy
Beyond the initial announcement of five processing mills, Opalm revealed during discussions held on February 18, 2026 in Eseka that one of the first units to become operational will be located in the Nyong-et-Kéllé basin, in the Centre Region. More importantly, the company has expressed a broader ambition: to triple the planned processing capacity of this first plant, transforming it into a leading industrial hub in the area.
This strategic direction emerged from meetings in Eseka between Opalm executives, representatives of Socapalm, local administrative authorities, and value chain stakeholders. Discussions focused on the operational transition of the site, workforce integration, and prospects for rapidly scaling up processed volumes.
Cutting the structural deficit by 50%
The stated objective is clear: contribute to closing a national deficit estimated at nearly 50% in crude palm oil production. Cameroon currently faces a shortfall of approximately 300,000 tons per year, leading to heavy reliance on imports, with direct consequences for the trade balance and production costs for downstream processing industries.
According to Gabriel Mbairobe, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development:
“Cameroon imports between 200,000 and 300,000 tons of palm oil olein annually to meet national demand, representing more than CFA 100 billion.”
By eventually injecting nearly 108,000 additional tons into the national market, Opalm’s program aims to significantly reduce this structural gap and strengthen the country’s agro-industrial sovereignty.
The Eseka transfer as a consolidation lever
It is within this broader context that the transfer of the Eseka plantation from Socapalm to Opalm took place, officially announced in a press release on February 18, 2026 from Douala. According to the historic agro-industrial company Socapalm, the transaction is part of a consolidation and regulatory strategy for the sector, with the ultimate goal of sustainably strengthening national production.
Socapalm emphasizes that this is not a withdrawal from Cameroon, as the company retains its other plantations. The transition provides for the full transfer of personnel to Opalm, with preservation of acquired rights, seniority, and social benefits, ensuring both social and operational continuity.
The company also announced technical and managerial support for Opalm during the takeover phase to ensure a smooth and secure transition.
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