Africa Petroleum S.A. could soon be reintegrated into the petroleum product import circuit in Cameroon, after being suspended in March 2026. A letter dated April 6, 2026, from the platform for validating losses, requests the Minister of Water and Energy (Minee) to lift this suspension.
According to Zang Martial Velery, president of this platform, Africa Petroleum has not only submitted its files for validation of capital gains from its import operations but has also spontaneously paid 200 million FCFA to cover arrears owed to the refinery support fund. These actions are considered to meet the minimum conditions for lifting the sanction, paving the way for the reactivation of its import license and the resumption of its petroleum product removal operations.
The total amount claimed from Africa Petroleum remains unknown, making it impossible to determine whether the payment of 200 million FCFA represents a full or partial settlement of its debt to the State. Additional verifications could reveal additional amounts due for overpayments. In the Cameroonian system of administered pump price fixing, importers must declare their supply costs, including the international purchase price, maritime freight, customs duties and taxes, and any demurrage.
Differences between the cost price and the transfer price can lead to public compensation or repayments to the Public Treasury.
Africa Petroleum was among the seven importing marketers sanctioned on March 12, 2026, when the loss validation platform asked Sonara to suspend all reception of ships chartered by several companies, including Neptune Oil and Bocom Petroleum. By engaging in this regularization process, Africa Petroleum is the first operator on the list to progress towards a possible lifting of the sanction. This situation demonstrates the willingness of the Cameroonian authorities to strengthen financial control over the petroleum sector, where the budgetary discipline of importers is essential.
