(Business in Cameroon) – President Paul Biya signed a decree on May 19, 2025, to secure 527 hectares of land for the construction of the Kikot-Mbebe hydroelectric dam and its associated infrastructure. This decision marks a significant step forward for the large-scale project, which is slated to begin operations in 2031. The designated land, now transferred to the public domain, is located in the Nyanon district, within the Sanaga-Maritime division of the Littoral region.
The future dam will become the third electricity production plant in this division, following the existing Edéa and Songloulou dams. It also represents the fourth hydroelectric development on the Sanaga River, which a recent study by the Ministry of Water and Energy suggests could support up to 11 such installations. This concentration of projects underscores the strategic importance of the Sanaga River to Cameroon’s energy mix.
The 527 hectares of secured land correspond to 205 parcels identified by land and cadastral services. This presidential decree is a crucial step towards compensating the people affected by the project. According to local sources, several families have been awaiting clarity regarding their land status for years. “This decree is a relief because it confirms what we had long suspected. Now all that remains is to be compensated fairly,” an anonymous Nyanon resident stated.
With a planned capacity of 500 megawatts, the Kikot-Mbebe dam will require an estimated investment of 650 billion CFA francs. The search for funding partners is ongoing, though several international financial institutions have expressed interest, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group already involved in other energy projects in Cameroon.
The project is a joint endeavor between the Cameroonian government and Électricité de France (EDF). EDF is also spearheading the construction of the Nachtigal dam (420 MW), which is nearing completion. A dedicated project company, Kikot-Mbebe Hydro Power Company (KHPC), has been established to manage the dam’s development, with construction anticipated to commence in 2030.
Ludovic Amara
