(Business in Cameroon) – Cameroonian Businessman Guillaume Mbakam Chouga is expanding his reach into the tile industry with a CFA1 billion investment. Through his company, Cameroon Concrete Company (CCC), Mbakam aims to produce tiles using locally sourced clay and kaolin. This project positions him among the pioneers promoting the use of local materials in Cameroon.
The industrial unit, currently under construction, is situated in Nkake-Souza, Moungo department, around 30 kilometers from Douala. Set on a five-hectare site, the facility’s construction began in 2022 and was 75% complete by October 2024. Completion is expected in 2025, with machinery arriving in May and initial production slated for December that year.
Once operational, CCC’s facility will have the capacity to produce 10,000 square meters of tiles daily. The plant will require 3.5 megawatts of electricity and rely on gas, with support from Cameroon’s Minister of Energy. The project includes amenities like an infirmary, laboratories, and housing for 80 employees.
Acting Minister of Mines, Fuh Calistus Gentry, shared that Mbakam has financed the project with CFA900 million. During his recent visit to the site, he noted that the plant will operate using local raw materials such as clay, kaolin, and minerals, with technical support from Italian partners. These partners have validated the raw material samples gathered from different Cameroonian locations. Currently, CCC has submitted five permits for approval from the Ministry of Mines, Industry, and Technological Development.
The Nkake tile plant is expected to boost local tile availability, helping offset Cameroon’s reliance on imports, which heavily impact the country’s balance of payments. In 2023, Cameroon imported 188,054 tons of glazed tiles, worth CFA43.1 billion, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS). With the Nkake plant and an additional facility by Keda in Kribi, Cameroon could soon lead tile production in Central Africa.
With this new venture, Mbakam diversifies his portfolio and grows his business empire. For 13 years, he has been the CEO of Green Oil, a major player in Cameroon’s petroleum sector, operating around 30 gas stations nationwide. The 51-year-old, who also represents Menoua in the National Assembly, has investments in real estate and hospitality, including ownership of United Hotels in Yaoundé and Mbankomo near the capital.
This tile production project aligns with Mbakam’s vision to strengthen local industry, reduce import dependence, and position Cameroon as a Central African leader in construction materials.
