CSTAR: Growth Momentum Confirmed as the Project Remains Firmly on Track

This was the key outcome of the Board of Directors’ meetings of CSTAR Petroleum, CSTAR Refinery and CSTAR Tank Farm, held on 13 May 2026 in Dubai.

These important meetings enabled SNH, Tradex and the Ariana Energy Consortium to review progress on the CSTAR refinery and storage depot projects, examine the project’s main operational and financial orientations and adopt resolutions aimed at ensuring the implementation of all planned infrastructure under the development of the Mboro site in Kribi.

Speaking at the opening of proceedings, Nathalie Moudiki, Chair of the Board of Directors of CSTAR, highlighted the sustained personal commitment of the Executive General Manager of SNH to the success of this strategic project for Cameroon. She recalled that, in the current context, the CSTAR project represents, more than ever, a major driver for the structural transformation of the national petroleum sector and the strengthening of Cameroon’s energy sovereignty, thereby contributing to strategic independence and socio-economic prosperity.

In her address, she commended the commitment of the partners and investors involved in the project, highlighting their long-term vision, resilience and strong sense of responsibility in delivering the ambitions underpinning the CSTAR venture.

The meetings focused in particular on reviewing work programmes, contracts, budgets and financing arrangements relating to the various components of the project. The directors also reviewed the technical progress achieved both at manufacturing sites abroad and at construction sites in Cameroon.

The session further provided an opportunity for Abakal Mahamat, Executive General Manager of BGFIBank Cameroon, who attended the proceedings as a guest, to reaffirm the mobilisation of leading domestic banks alongside the BGFI Group for the financing of the refinery project.

At the close of discussions, the CSTAR directors expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved and with the growing mobilisation of institutional, financial and industrial partners around this strategic initiative. The exchanges also underscored the increasing interest generated by the CSTAR project, now widely regarded as an industrial catalyst for Cameroon and the Central African sub-region.

In closing the proceedings, Nathalie Moudiki called on partners and stakeholders to sustain the momentum achieved, in a spirit of collaboration, transparency and performance, while commending the commitment of strategic stakeholders and financial institutions supporting the project. “This project no longer belongs solely to us. It now belongs to all those who believe in Africa and in Cameroon’s energy potential. The CSTAR project belongs to those who have confidence in Cameroon’s political stability and who recognise President Paul BIYA’s determination to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources for the development of this great nation and the well-being of its people,” the Chair of CSTAR concluded.

SNH and its partners left Dubai — the host city of the CSTAR companies — looking ahead to the next phases of work on the construction sites, encouraged by the growing mobilisation of stakeholders from the financial and energy sectors, including the Governor of BEAC and leading oil market analysts, all of whom recognise the CSTAR project as a major industrial catalyst for Cameroon and the Central African sub-region.