Cameroon promotes offshore licensing round, offers nine high-potential blocks

Cameroon shared details of its latest licensing round during this year’s African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies conference, organised by the African Energy Chamber (AEC). The information about oil and gas blocks on offer and applicable licensing procedures was presented at the event’s African Farmout Forum sponsored by Somalia-focused privately-owned explorer SOMA Oil & Gas.

According to an October 13 press statement by the AEC, 25 companies took part in the session held in partnership with global upstream consultancy Moyes & Co., and UK-based oil and gas advisory firms Envoi and FarmoutAngel. The participants shared their plans for seismic acquisition, drilling and development partnerships, said the AEC.

Cameroon’s latest licensing round was officially launched in August 2025, spearheaded by the country’s national oil company, the Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures (SNH). The SNH offered a promising acreage with six offshore exploration blocks in the Douala Kribi-Campo Basin and three in the Rio Del Rey Basin along Cameroon’s Atlantic coast.

Both basins hold substantial hydrocarbon potential, supported by existing infrastructure and close access to markets, which lowers entry costs and enables quicker project returns. Fresh exploration activity in these areas could lead to new discoveries, said the Chamber, strengthening Cameroon’s position as a dependable regional producer and contributing to wider African energy objectives.

According to the AEC, data rooms are open in Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé and at Viridien, a geoscience and data solutions company in the UK, with bids due by March 30, 2026. Packages include 2D and 3D seismic data, well information, and mapped prospects to support technical assessments and investment decisions. Awards are expected to be announced on April 24.

Recent upstream activity in Cameroon reflects rising investor confidence in its oil and gas sector. Nigeria-based Prime Oil & Gas, an Africa-focused independent, acquired a 42.5% non-operated stake in the Thali offshore licence, contributing $15mn to the NJOM-3 appraisal well programme. Perenco, a London-headquartered independent producer active across Central Africa, continues developing the Rio del Rey Basin, which has produced over one billion barrels and holds about 1.2bn barrels of oil equivalent (boe) in remaining reserves.

“This is a timely initiative that aligns with the continent’s strategy to increase exploration activity, boost private sector participation and develop local capacity,” the AEC said. “By offering favourable terms designed to mitigate risk, Cameroon is creating an attractive environment for companies of all sizes – from independent explorers to major international operators – to participate in shaping the country’s energy future.”