Cameroon has awarded a $312 million contract to Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd, in partnership with China Energy Engineering Corporation Ltd, for the construction of the Limbe Combined-Cycle Gas-Fired Power Plant in the country’s southwest region.
The announcement, made on August 20, 2025, marks the end of more than a decade of negotiations after earlier talks with other firms, including Eranove, failed to materialize.
Valued at CFA 176 billion (USD 312 million), the project is being developed under a public-private partnership model. The Government of Cameroon will provide CFA 26 billion (15%) of the financing, with Sunon Asogli Power and China Energy covering the remaining 85%.
Construction is scheduled to begin this year and finish by 2029, adding 350 megawatts (MW) to Cameroon’s national grid. The additional capacity is expected to ease chronic power shortages in the southwest, coastal, and western regions, while advancing the country’s target of achieving 5,000 MW of installed capacity by 2030.
Currently generating just over 2,000 MW, Cameroon faces persistent energy deficits that limit industrial growth and hinder rural electrification. By tapping natural gas, the Limbe project is designed to diversify the energy mix, reduce heavy dependence on hydropower, and improve supply reliability.
The award underscores the growing role of African independent power producers and Chinese engineering giants in shaping the continent’s energy landscape. Sunon Asogli Power, one of Ghana’s leading independent power producers, is extending its footprint into Central Africa with this landmark project.
Ghanaian lawyer and lead consultant for the venture, Madam Penelope Mawulolo Jones-Mensah, welcomed the deal, expressing appreciation to Cameroon for its confidence in the partnership. “This is a significant step toward regional integration and shared prosperity,” she said, emphasizing the long-term developmental impact of the project.
Next steps include environmental and social impact assessments, contract finalization, and financial close. Once operational, the Limbe plant will enhance energy security, boost industrial competitiveness, and support broader economic development in Cameroon’s southwest corridor.
