Sonara’s 700 billion fcfa bluff: a strategy to deceive president Biya?

Seven years after the devastating fire at Sonara, its CEO solemnly told global media that the company would rise again on Monday, June 29, 2026. Many had expected at least a memorandum of understanding with a financial partner. Instead, the announcement came after a meeting of four ministers who assessed reconstruction costs and financing methods, even before stepping into the market to secure partners.

The chosen financing model is DBFM (Design-Build-Finance-Maintain), covering design, construction, financing, and maintenance of the infrastructure.

If seven years after the Sonara fire we have only reached this point, how long will it take to find a partner who, using classic Cameroonian methods, signs an agreement and then turns to banks for funds? This pattern is already visible with mining partners, unlike practices elsewhere.

The shadow of SNH and Nathalie Moudiki

Looking at the timing, this communication comes days after Gecam president Célestin Tawamba praised SNH for the new Kribi refinery project, skillfully led by Nathalie Moudiki, in an international media outlet.

Appointment stakes are green

In truth, what happened yesterday appears to be a simple communication meant to bluff the President, who is in Switzerland re-evaluating the performance of those he appointed to serve the people.

In its statement, Sonara used language to appeal to Cameroonians, mentioning an hydrocracker unit that would refine Cameroonian crude. Yet this project was already underway before the fire and is already included in the Kribi refinery.

Sabotaging the Kribi refinery

“When you see whistleblowers lurking in the shadows attacking individuals involved in projects, think twice.

Since yesterday, Boris Bertolt has been posting incendiary claims against the SNH refinery project, with baseless accusations aimed at tarnishing Nathalie Moudiki’s image. Why would anyone sabotage the Kribi refinery project on the very day Sonara makes its comeback? Meanwhile, SNH itself applauds the work of the historic Sonara.

Regarding Sonara’s rehabilitation, back in 2020, a high-level delegation from Russian giant Lukoil visited Yaoundé with a reconstruction plan and modern equipment proposal. The government did not follow up.

Regime insiders who favor imports through traders cite sovereignty to justify rejecting potential partners. Yet Africa’s largest oil refinery, located in the continent’s second-largest oil producer, is privately owned. Dangote refinery in Nigeria is not state-run but refines over 60% of the country’s oil.

Why is SNH’s gas model not applied to Sonara’s oil sector?

The Lobito refinery in Angola was built by China, the Copperbelt refinery in Zambia by China. Uganda’s first oil refinery is built by Russians, and another is planned in Congo.

Cameroonians, let us pray.