Ango Mineral Water SARL will be officially inaugurated on February 13. The ceremony, to be presided over by the governor of Cameroon’s East region, Grégoire Mvongo, will mark the company’s formal entry into Cameroon’s mineral water market with its “Ango” brand.
According to its chief executive, Salomon Ango, the project represents an investment of CFA1.7 billion. The funding was used to build modern production facilities and launch natural mineral water production in line with current health and industrial standards. The company reports a production capacity of 4,000 packs per day, intended to supply markets nationwide, with operations rooted in the forest and mining region of the East.
Permits and regulatory framework
The industrial site covers more than one hectare. According to the company, production has been under way since 2022, a situation confirmed during a visit by the National Agency for Standards and Quality in May of that year.
From a regulatory standpoint, a natural mineral water operating permit was issued on March 17, 2023, by the minister of mines, industry, and technological development, Fuh Calistus Gentry, acting in an interim capacity. The authorization followed approval from the Presidency of the Republic dated February 20, 2023.
In a letter addressed to the ministry, the secretary general of the presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, confirmed presidential approval for the granting of a natural mineral water exploitation permit to Ango Mineral Water at Nounou, in the Bertoua II district, Lom and Djerem division, East region.
A market dominated by established players
Ango Mineral Water is entering a highly competitive bottled water market dominated by long-established operators. Source du Pays, producer of the Supermont brand, has led the sector since 2016. The Société des Eaux Minérales du Cameroun, a subsidiary of the Castel group, is also among the historical leaders.
In 2016, Source du Pays strengthened its market position through the acquisition of Nabco, producer of the Opur brand. The transaction lifted its market share to 58% in 2016 and 67% by 2018.
Amina Malloum
