Towards shared and strengthened management of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline
In the context of enhanced strategic cooperation between Chad and Cameroon, Chad’s Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Geology, Ms NDOLENODJI Alixe NAÏMBAYE, paid a working visit to COTCO from 4 to 5 November 2024. This was the first visit by a Chadian mining minister since the Chad-Cameroon pipeline was inaugurated in 2003. The purpose of the visit was twofold: firstly, to strengthen relations between the two countries in relation to this project, and secondly, to examine the challenges and opportunities associated with the management and maintenance of the infrastructure.
On 4 November 2025, for the first leg of her visit, the Minister, accompanied by her delegation, the General Manager of COTCO, Mr Jean-Paul SIMO NJONOU, and the Deputy General Manager, Ms Haoua DAOUSSA DEBY, was welcomed by Oumarou FARICOU, the Offshore Installation Manager of the Komé-Kribi 1 (KK1) terminal, located off the coast of the seaside town of Kribi. The presence of COTCO’s Operations, Projects and Safety managers at the terminal was indicative of the unique nature of the visit.
The various presentations on the role, condition and operation of the terminal enabled the Minister to gain a better understanding of the challenges facing COTCO in ensuring the reliability and safety of crude oil transport operations from Komé to Kribi, without accident or incident. The guided tour of the terminal provided the entire delegation with a tangible understanding of the terminal’s operations and the general maintenance requirements. However, the main topic addressed by the COTCO team was the urgent replacement of the linking arms that hold the KK1 to its anchorage point. At the conclusion of her visit, the Minister expressed satisfaction with her visit to the FSO. “The terminal is a strategic infrastructure for the sale of Chadian crude oil. This visit provided an invaluable opportunity for me to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of effective decision-making and the necessity of strategic foresight when it comes to the future of the terminal. I would like to congratulate the team at the FSO and the management of COTCO for finding lasting solutions to the problems encountered. I reaffirm the support of my ministerial department in the search for solutions and the necessary financing, which is not small-scale financing”, declared the Minister.
On the morning of 5 November, the Minister and her delegation visited the headquarters of the Cameroon Oil Transportation Company in Douala. For this working session, the General Manager of COTCO, Mr Jean-Paul SIMO NJONOU, and the Deputy General Manager, Mrs Haoua DAOUSSA DEBY, were accompanied by the various managers of all the departments involved in the day-to-day running of COTCO.
In his welcome address, Mr Jean-Paul SIMO NJONOU reassured the Minister of the reliability and safety of the pipeline’s operations. “On Sunday 3 November 2024, we successfully completed the 1031st removal at the FSO terminal“. He also highlighted the joint prospects: “The vision of shared management of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline invites us to strengthen our collaboration and lay the foundations for a solid five-year plan to guarantee the reliability and sustainability of this key infrastructure”. For her part, the Minister confirmed that “this visit is an opportunity to make discoveries and to put into practice effective collaboration. It is a pleasure to meet the people who have been involved in this project for over 20 years. Consequently, it is imperative to equip the next generation with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure the continued success of our pipeline”. She also emphasised the importance of technological innovation and the need to incorporate international best practice in pipeline operations, with a view to enhancing the project’s competitiveness and profitability. “There are many strategic challenges in the face of the energy transition, with all the constraints that this implies for our prospects. It is vital that we adopt an ingenious, intelligent and far-sighted approach to ensure the successful execution of future projects in this pivotal sector of our economy. Strategy, financing and performance must be our watchwords”, she declared.
The visit by Chad’s Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Geology demonstrates the positive bilateral relationship and the commitment of the governments of Chad and Cameroon to continue collaborating on this strategic project. Since its inauguration in 2003, the Chad-Cameroon pipeline has enabled Chad to export its crude oil to international markets, facilitating the country’s economic development while generating revenue for Cameroon. The pipeline represents a significant opportunity for economic growth in both countries, serving as a notable example of successful collaboration in Central Africa.
The Chad-Cameroon pipeline is 1,081 km long, 903 km of which runs through Cameroon. This underscores the motto “two countries, one mission”.
Emmanuel ATENGA
