Chad-Cameroon pipeline transit fees surge to 12.2 billion cfa francs in 2026

Cameroon’s transit revenue from Chadian crude oil transported via the Chad-Cameroon pipeline reached 12.2 billion CFA francs in the first four months of 2026. The figure, released by the Pipeline Steering and Monitoring Committee (PSMC), reflects an annual increase of 1.2 billion CFA francs—a rise of 11% compared to the same period in 2025. This growth stems from the transportation of 16.1 million barrels of Chadian crude through Cameroonian territory during the reviewed period.

The pipeline: a lifeline for Chad’s landlocked energy sector

Stretching 1,080 kilometers, the pipeline connects the oil fields in southern Chad to the export terminal in Komé-Kribi, on Cameroon’s coastline. Without direct access to the sea, N’Djamena relies entirely on this artery to channel its production to international markets. Since its launch in the early 2000s under a consortium led by ExxonMobil, the infrastructure has remained Chad’s sole viable export corridor.

For Cameroon, this geographic dependence translates into recurring budgetary inflows. Each barrel transiting its territory incurs a transit fee of 1.321 dollars, deposited into the national treasury. While the mechanism is straightforward, its cumulative impact bolsters non-tax revenues—a critical factor as Yaoundé seeks to offset declining domestic hydrocarbon output.

A 20-year surge in transit fees

The current fee structure results from a series of negotiations initiated in 2013. Initially set at 0.41 dollars per barrel, the rate was deemed insufficient by Cameroonian authorities, given the environmental and logistical risks borne by the transit country. Under pressure from Yaoundé, a five-year review mechanism was established, leading to two successive revisions in 2013 and 2018 that elevated the fee to its present level.

In practical terms, the per-barrel transit income has more than tripled over fifteen years. This upward trend has gradually aligned Cameroon’s financial terms with those of other African oil corridors, such as the BTC system in Central Asia or neighboring arrangements like the COTCO pipeline. Yet, the next scheduled adjustment remains pending.

2023 fee adjustment still unresolved

As per the agreed timeline, a new increase was due to take effect on October 1, 2023. Over two years later, no official announcement has confirmed the conclusion of talks or validated a potential revision. The prolonged silence raises questions, especially as Cameroonian authorities have recently emphasized optimizing oil revenues.

Multiple factors may explain this deadlock. Chad’s political transition following President Déby’s tenure, coupled with N’Djamena’s budgetary constraints, may limit the negotiating margin of its representatives. Meanwhile, fluctuations in Chadian oil production—including declines in some fields—could prompt operators to advocate for tariff stability to sustain profitability. Conversely, Cameroon’s priority is to maximize the revenue from an aging infrastructure whose operational lifespan is finite.

Despite the uncertainty, the current revenue trend is undeniably favorable for the Cameroonian treasury. If the first-quarter momentum persists, annual transit fees could surpass 35 billion CFA francs in 2026, reinforcing the Chad-Cameroon pipeline’s role as a key foreign exchange generator for Yaoundé, alongside Kribi’s gas exports and agricultural shipments. No official updates on the ongoing tariff negotiations with Chad have been disclosed.