The Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency (Arsel) estimates that Cameroon’s power system lost CFA4.65 billion in revenue in 2024. The loss is linked to the delayed alignment of prepaid electricity tariffs with the regulated tariff grid applied to postpaid customers since 2012, according to its 2024 report.
“The failure to implement this instruction led the regulator to revalue prepaid energy using the postpaid tariff structure in force. This assessment revealed a revenue shortfall of CFA4.65 billion during the 2024 fiscal year, which was deducted from the RMA as it was considered an overcollection,” the report said.
For several years, Arsel has highlighted significant gaps between tariffs applied to prepaid customers and those charged to postpaid subscribers. These differences relate to billing brackets, pricing mechanisms, and the average cost per kilowatt-hour. In 2022, the regulator instructed Eneo to eliminate these gaps by applying the official postpaid tariff grid to prepaid customers.
Alignment effective only from November 2024
Based on this instruction, Eneo developed a harmonization mechanism built on classifying subscribers according to their consumption history, followed by the automatic application of the regulated tariff structure. However, the formal alignment of prepaid and postpaid tariffs only took effect on November 1, 2024.
The measure was introduced after consultations between Arsel, Eneo, and consumer associations, notably during meetings held in Mbankomo in March 2023 and in Yaoundé on October 23, 2024.
New brackets set residential prices at CFA50–99 per kWh
Under the new structure, tariffs are organized by consumption brackets, with differentiated prices based on kilowatt-hour usage. For residential customers, the price is set at CFA50 per kWh for 0–110 kWh, CFA79 for 111–220 kWh, CFA94 for 221–400 kWh including VAT, and CFA99 beyond 400 kWh. A similar structure has been announced for professional customers.
A monthly reassessment mechanism is expected to automatically adjust subscribers’ tariff categories based on their consumption patterns.
According to Arsel, aligning the prepaid tariff grid with the postpaid system should improve revenue mobilization in the sector. “The prepaid pilot tariff grid has been harmonized with the postpaid tariff grid in force since 2012, which should improve revenue mobilization in the sector,” the report said.
Amina Malloum
