Cameroon Renames Eneo as State-Owned Socadel

By Lasha Kingsly

 

Government has announced a major transformation in Cameroon’s electricity sector, with power utility Eneo officially rebranded as the Société Camerounaise d’Électricité (SOCADEL), effective as from May 4, 2026.

The reform is enshrined in Presidential Decree No. 2026/164 of May 4 2026, signed in Yaoundé by the Head of State. The decree approves the Articles of Association of the new public entity and seals its conversion into a fully State-owned electricity corporation.

The change follows a presidential decree redefining the company’s legal status, placing it fully under State ownership and control. With this development, SOCADEL becomes a public enterprise managed entirely by the Government of Cameroon.

Despite the new name and structure, officials say the company’s core missions remain intact, including the production, distribution, as well as import and export of electrical energy. The headquarters of the utility will remain in Douala, the nation’s economic capital.

The reform comes in the wake of the State’s completed nationalisation of Eneo, marking the end of majority private ownership by British investment fund Actis. In February 2026,  government finalised the acquisition of Actis’ 51 percent stake through an early payment of FCFA 78 billion.

Following the buyback, the State now holds 95 percent of shares in the company, while employees retain the remaining 5 percent.

Authorities say the move is aimed at reinforcing Cameroon’s energy sovereignty and addressing persistent challenges that have plagued the sector. These include recurrent power outages, a heavy debt burden estimated at about FCFA 800 billion, and the urgent need to modernise ageing infrastructure.

Government is also expected to prioritise improved service delivery and expand electricity access nationwide, with targets to restore financial stability by 2028 and extend coverage to millions more households by 2030.

Observers note that while the renaming and nationalisation signal a new policy direction, the success of SOCADEL will largely depend on effective management and sustained investment in the power sector.