Cameroon’s Kikot-Mbebe Hydropower Project

Key Figures & Findings: President Paul Biya has signed a pivotal decree securing 527 hectares of land in the Nyanon district for the Kikot-Mbebe hydroelectric dam, marking a significant milestone in Cameroon’s energy strategy. The project, a joint venture between the Cameroonian government and Électricité de France (EDF),a global energy leader with extensive hydropower expertise, aims to add 500 megawatts of capacity to the national grid, complementing the existing Edéa and Songloulou dams and the nearly-complete Nachtigal facility. A dedicated entity, Kikot-Mbebe Hydro Power Company (KHPC), has been established to oversee this transformative venture. EDF, is playing a central role in this development, as it continues to support Cameroon’s transition to a more reliable, low-carbon energy mix.

Statistics & Insights: When commissioned in 2031, the Kikot-Mbebe dam is projected to cost 650 billion CFA francs and power nearly 40,000 households. The project will affect 205 land parcels, and compensation efforts for impacted communities are underway to address longstanding local concerns.

Future Implications: If completed as scheduled, the Kikot-Mbebe dam would significantly enhance Cameroon’s energy resilience, providing stable electricity for both industrial and rural needs while positioning the Sanaga River as a national powerhouse. The project, anchored by EDF’s technical and financial acumen, could bolster Cameroon’s standing as a regional energy exporter by the 2030s.

Source: Business in Cameroon