Nkongsamba–Moungo: Building a Local Cocoa Chain Around Processing

A progress update on the local value chain

A post circulated on 23 July reported a working visit by Abakal Mahamat, Managing Director of BGFIBank Cameroon, to facilities associated with SAMEN INDUSTRY. The reported itinerary included a cocoa bean storage site and the construction site of the future processing plant in Baré-Bakem. The post presents collection, storage and processing as interconnected parts of the same industrial project in the Moungo area.²

According to the same source, storage expansion work was under way to strengthen the reception and preservation of cocoa beans. The post also referred to prospective financial support from BGFIBank Cameroon for collection capacity, modernisation, digitalisation and industrial processing. These points indicate institutional and financial interest, but the terms, amount, timetable and contractual status of any support remain to be confirmed.²

Established facts about SAMEN INDUSTRY

Patrice Samen is the promoter of SAMEN INDUSTRY S.A. and the mayor of Nkongsamba 2nd. The company is developing a cocoa-processing plant in Baré-Bakem, in the Moungo department. The site covers 3 hectares, including approximately 1.4 hectares allocated to the main building.

The grinding line is designed for approximately 4 tonnes per hour, corresponding to an announced annual capacity of about 32,000 tonnes of cocoa beans. The intended product range includes cocoa liquor or mass, butter, powder and cake. Media coverage has highlighted both this industrial capacity and the project’s location within the broader Nkongsamba and Moungo production area. The foundation stone was laid on 27 February 2026 in the presence of Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana and Agriculture Minister Gabriel Mbairobe.^3,4

The estimated investment is XAF 20–30 billion, with 300–500 direct jobs expected. The project forms part of the SND30 framework and Cameroon’s import-substitution policy, with the objective of retaining more value through domestic cocoa processing.

An industrial timetable requiring an update

Commissioning had initially been announced for before July 2026. As of this update, none of the usable sources provided confirms that commissioning actually occurred. The July post instead reported that the plant equipment had been manufactured and preassembled in China and would subsequently be transported to and installed in Cameroon. It presented the end of the year as the revised commissioning horizon.²

This revised schedule should be treated as information awaiting confirmation. Useful next verification points include the status of civil works, the arrival and installation of equipment, technical testing and the effective date for commercial operations.

Practical considerations for buyers and industrial partners

For prospective buyers of cocoa butter, powder, liquor or cake, nominal capacity does not establish current commercial availability. Before making a commitment, buyers should request product specifications, volumes actually available, sampling procedures, quality-control documentation, logistics terms and a confirmed production schedule.

The reported visit also highlights the importance of securing raw-material supply. In that context, documentary preparation should cover supplier identification, bean origin, lot traceability and the retention of supporting records. Such work may contribute to documentary readiness for markets with enhanced due-diligence expectations, including the European market. It does not establish that any lot or SAMEN INDUSTRY is compliant with the EU Deforestation Regulation.

The central institutional issue is therefore the connection between Nkongsamba, the cocoa collection areas of Moungo and the Baré-Bakem plant. A credible local chain will need to link producers, storage, processing and industrial outlets through verifiable operating and documentary systems, without anticipating the plant’s operational status or the availability of finished products.