AEC hails Cameroon’s 2025 bid round as a boost for exploration and sustainable energy in Central Africa. - High Commission of Cameroon in India

YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — Cameroon is making a strategic push to revive and expand its oil and gas industry, launching an ambitious 2025 licensing round aimed at unlocking the country’s untapped hydrocarbon potential and reinforcing its position as a key player in Central Africa’s energy landscape.
Officially inaugurated on August 1, 2025, the round offers nine highly prospective blocks—six in the Douala Kribi-Campo Basin and three in the Rio Del Rey Basin—opening new frontiers for exploration in one of Africa’s most geologically diverse petroleum provinces.

Driving Cameroon’s Next Energy Chapter

The licensing round, spearheaded by the Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures (SNH), underscores the government’s broader vision to maximize the value of national resources and attract long-term private investment.
SNH provided an in-depth briefing on the initiative during African Energy Week 2025: Invest in African Energies, highlighting the opportunities, acreage details, and licensing procedures. The presentation was part of the African Farmout Forum, sponsored by SOMA Oil & Gas, and co-hosted with Moyes & Co., Envoi, and FarmoutAngel.
The session saw 25 leading international and regional firms discuss new seismic acquisition plans, drilling prospects, and potential joint ventures, signaling robust interest in Cameroon’s upstream sector.

Data Rooms Open – Opportunities for Global Bidders

Data rooms are currently available in Yaoundé and at Viridien’s offices in the UK, giving companies access to a comprehensive suite of technical data, including:

1. 2D and 3D seismic surveys
   • Well logs and basin analysis
2. Identified leads and mapped prospects

These data packages enable prospective investors to conduct detailed technical assessments and make informed exploration decisions.

Bid Submission Deadline: March 30, 2026

License Awards Expected: April 24, 2026

Investor Confidence on the Rise

Recent upstream developments reaffirm Cameroon’s growing attractiveness to investors:

• Prime Oil & Gas recently acquired a 42.5% non-operated interest in the Thali license offshore Cameroon, contributing $15 million to the ongoing work program and the drilling of the NJOM-3 appraisal well.

• Perenco, one of Cameroon’s most active operators, continues to expand production in the Rio Del Rey Basin—a prolific area that has already produced over 1 billion barrels of oil and still holds an estimated 1.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent in remaining reserves.


Strategic Basins with Global Appeal

The Douala Kribi-Campo and Rio Del Rey basins are both proven hydrocarbon-rich regions, offering:

• Established infrastructure supporting offshore operations

• Proximity to export markets for faster monetization.

• Lower entry costs and shorter lead times from exploration to production

Aligning with Africa’s Energy Vision

This licensing initiative arrives at a pivotal moment as African nations intensify efforts to boost exploration, attract private capital, and enhance local capacity building.
By offering competitive fiscal terms, transparent licensing procedures, and investor-friendly frameworks that reduce operational risks, Cameroon is positioning itself as a prime destination for both independent explorers and major international oil companies.
“This is more than just a licensing round—it’s an invitation to shape Cameroon’s energy future,” said an SNH representative. “We’re opening our doors to innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth.”

A Future Fueled by Exploration

As global attention turns toward energy diversification and sustainable growth, Cameroon’s proactive approach stands out as a model of balance between opportunity and responsibility.
With nine promising blocks, a strong regulatory foundation, and renewed investor confidence, the 2025 licensing round could mark the beginning of a new energy era for Cameroon—and for Central Africa as a whole.