Cameroon loses 30 MW of electricity each day through a faulty transmission network, a loss equal to the current output of the Lagdo dam. This energy leak, reported by journalist Albin Njilo, heavily burdens households and businesses, worsening a cash‑flow deficit that slows down crucial infrastructure projects.
In a meeting with Italy’s ambassador to Cameroon, Filippo Scammacca del Murgo, and Riccardo Rossi Van Lamsweerde, head of the regional office of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, the Minister of Water and Energy presented the solution long awaited by economists, including the late Christian Penda Ekoka: a public‑private partnership (PPP) in heavy‑investment sectors. The principle is simple – open financing to private capital while retaining public control of the essential service.
The state, according to the information relayed, struggles to settle the debt of KPDC, depriving the country of 300 MW of electricity. This inability to meet financial commitments translates into frequent outages and a slowdown in economic growth. The PPP promises to inject the needed funds to modernise transmission lines, reduce losses and restore the lost generation capacity.
“One must ask the Minister of Transport why he should saddle poor citizens with debt for road projects repeatedly handed to impostors, when a public‑private partnership would solve the problem,” a economic observer criticises. The remark highlights the contrast between controversial road spending and the urgent need to secure the electric grid, a pillar of national development.
For Cameroonians, the implementation of a PPP means greater energy stability, fewer night‑time blackouts and improved competitiveness of local businesses. A reliable grid enables farmers to pump water, factories to operate at full capacity, and schools to use digital technologies without interruption.
The involvement of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, an Italian public financial institution, bolsters the project’s credibility. It brings not only capital but also international expertise in managing large‑scale infrastructure projects, a valuable asset for a country seeking to close its cash‑flow gap while preserving sovereignty over strategic assets.
The coming months will be decisive. The government must define the PPP’s terms, ensure transparency in tendering and guarantee that benefits flow back to citizens. If these conditions are met, the partnership could transform Cameroon’s energy landscape, offering a glimmer of hope to a nation that loses 30 MW of vital power each day.
