Cameroonian authorities have carried out a significant operation against the illegal fuel trade in Yaoundé. A joint operation by the Ministry of Water and Energy (MINEE) and law enforcement resulted in the seizure of 4,740 liters of smuggled fuel in various neighborhoods of the capital. The operation, conducted following precise intelligence, aimed to protect consumers and the national economy from the dangers associated with adulterated petroleum products.
The Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, emphasized the risks associated with using adulterated fuel. According to the ministry, fuel mixed with unauthorized substances can cause serious damage to vehicle engines, increase environmental pollution, and endanger user safety. The operation was launched after receiving information about fraudulent activities in several areas of Yaoundé. The seized quantity indicates the existence of an organized network for the illegal sale of petroleum products.
Individuals apprehended during this operation will be held accountable before the competent courts. The MINEE recalled that this illegal trade leads to significant revenue losses for the Cameroonian state and undermines the national economy. Previous studies have estimated these losses at nearly 39 billion FCFA per year. Smuggled fuel, often sold cheaper than approved fuel, deprives the state of tax revenue. In addition to financial losses, adulterated fuel can damage engines and increase repair costs for consumers.
The MINEE calls on the public to purchase fuel only from approved service stations and to report any suspicious activity related to the illegal sale of fuel. Smuggled fuel, also known as "zoua-zoua", is often illegally imported from neighboring countries, such as Nigeria. Its sale is driven by the demand for low-priced fuel, but it creates significant health and environmental risks.
The fight against the sale of smuggled fuel is part of a broader effort by the Cameroonian government to clean up the energy sector. Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba recently warned against electricity fraud, which leads to significant financial losses and recurring power outages. Similar operations have taken place in other cities, such as Douala, where authorities seized more than 5,000 liters of smuggled fuel in June 2025. These actions aim to protect the national economy and the safety of the population.
