On March 18, 2026, the Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Éloundou Essomba, conducted a strategic working visit to the Nachtigal hydroelectric project site. On this occasion, he reaffirmed that energy reliability is the indispensable engine for Cameroon's industrialization.

During this field visit, the Minister highlighted that 30% of the electricity consumed by households in the Southern Interconnected Grid (RIS) now comes from Nachtigal. Describing energy as the "oxygen of the economy", he emphasized the central role of this dam in supporting national growth. However, the Government official did not overlook the challenges: structural financial imbalances and the need for a deep restructuring of the sector to ensure its long-term viability, notably through intensified efforts to combat electricity fraud.

The primary performance criterion for subcontractors

For the SPX-CMR, the full operationalization of Nachtigal and the sector's clean up are strong signals for the business climate.

"For an industrial subcontractor, energy is not just a cost; it is a condition for operational survival. Power outages and grid instability are the primary enemies of productivity and the life span of our SMEs' equipment. By securing 30% of the RIS via Nachtigal, the Government provides our members with the predictability needed to meet the delivery deadlines of major contractors. A cleaned-up and restructured power sector is the guarantee of competitive subcontracting, capable of scaling up without interruption", explains the Head of Opportunities and Partnerships at the SPX-CMR.

The inspection of the facilities—from the maindam to the control room—confirms that Nachtigal is the pillar of the national energy strategy. By stabilizing the grid, Cameroon is laying the ground work for a resilient industry, ready to carry the ambitions of the SND30.

Source: Official social media pages of the MINEE(Ministry of Water and Energy).