Overview
Power Africa is a market-driven, U.S. Government-led public-private partnership aiming to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. It offers tools and resources to private sector entities to facilitate doing business in sub-Saharan Africa’s power sector. The Electrify Africa Act of 2015 institutionalized Power Africa. Learn more about the full Power Africa toolbox or other opportunities offered by Power Africa. The Power Africa Off-Grid Project (PAOP) in Cameroon supports off-grid electrification companies to pilot energy-agriculture projects and products in Cameroon, as well as supporting dedicated energy-agriculture companies.
Leading Sub-Sectors
- Power Generation
- Power Transmission
- Power Distribution
- Renewable Energy
Opportunities
In its National Development Strategy 2020-2030, Cameroon has set significant targets for the development of its electricity sector. These include at least an additional 3,500 MW by 2035 and about 1 million new connections through grid densification and extension, and through the development of diesel and hydro mini-grids. This is planned under the newly established long-term Energy Sector Development Plan and the Rural Electrification Master Plan. Universal access to electricity is targeted by 2035.
Biomass energy potential is estimated at around 21 million hectares, by one estimate the third largest biomass potential in sub-Saharan Africa. Cameroon also has an immense hydropower potential of about 115,000 GWh/year, of which only about 4% has been developed. A lot of planning and feasibility study activities are ongoing throughout the country. More than 6,000 MW have been identified on rivers and waterfalls, mostly focused on the big rivers in the South. There are plans to further develop the potential of the Sanaga River to increase the capacity of the two big plants already existing, another two-plant cascade with more than 400 MW on the Nyong River, and almost 300 MW on the Ntem River. The Northeast of the country also offers opportunities for hydropower development.
Despite its richness in natural resources, Cameroon faces frequent electricity outages due to aging infrastructure. Fast-power solutions could be a significant opportunity for U.S. firms. Transforming natural gas into electricity is appealing to the government. Solutions to increase Cameroon’s low rural electrification rate also presents opportunities for U.S. companies.