Cameroon has moved to revitalize its upstream oil and gas sector with the release of results from its 2025 licensing round, launched by the Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures (SNH). The round, which opened nine exploration and production blocks to investors following an international Call for Interest issued on August 1, 2025, has reached a key milestone with the award of five blocks for Production Sharing Contract (PSC) negotiations.
According to SNH, Octavia Energy Corporation has been awarded the Bolongo Exploration block in the Rio del Rey Basin, while Murphy West Africa secured four blocks in the offshore Douala/Kribi-Campo area: Etinde Exploration, Tilapia, Elombo and Ntem. The remaining blocks – Ndian River, Bakassi, Bomono and Kombe-Nsepe – remain part of the broader licensing round framework following the current phase of evaluation.
The outcome marks one of Cameroon’s most significant upstream licensing developments in recent years, reflecting renewed momentum in both mature basin redevelopment and continued offshore exploration interest. It also underscores a broader shift toward structured, investment-driven licensing rounds aimed at re-engaging international operators and unlocking underexplored acreage.
The Douala/Kribi-Campo area, where Murphy West Africa will focus its activities, is widely regarded as a highly prospective offshore petroleum province within Cameroon’s broader coastal basin system, with notable gas potential despite being less explored than the Rio del Rey Basin. Meanwhile, the Rio del Rey Basin – home to Octavia’s Bolongo block – remains an established production area with opportunities for redevelopment and enhanced recovery.
SNH’s licensing initiative aligns with Cameroon’s broader strategy to optimize hydrocarbon resources, stabilize declining output from mature fields, and attract capital and technical expertise to support renewed exploration activity. This comes amid gradual production declines across legacy assets, reinforcing interest in both offshore gas development and incremental oil recovery opportunities.
“Cameroon is demonstrating once again that it is open for business and serious about unlocking its oil and gas potential. Licensing rounds like this are essential to bringing in the capital, technology and expertise needed to develop resources efficiently and responsibly. Investors should look at Cameroon not just as an opportunity, but as a strategic entry point into Central Africa’s broader energy market,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
At the same time, Cameroon is seeking to strengthen gas monetization pathways and expand domestic energy supply, with growing emphasis on gas-to-power development and broader industrial applications. This strategy is closely linked to LNG development, downstream gas processing and infrastructure expansion – particularly around Kribi – which is expected to support the development of integrated gas value chains. Planned pipeline projects, port upgrades and industrial gas-to-power initiatives are also expected to reinforce midstream and downstream capacity while improving monetization of domestic resources.
In parallel, increased attention to gas-linked industrialization – including fertilizer production, petrochemicals and power generation capacity expansion – reflects Cameroon’s broader objective of retaining greater value from its resource base and strengthening its position as a regional energy hub.
As Cameroon enters this phase of upstream development, the latest licensing round results underscore a clear policy direction: deepening partnerships, improving investment attractiveness and reinforcing the country’s position as a stable and competitive oil and gas destination in Africa.
