An industrial pathway rooted in Moungo
In Nkongsamba and across the Moungo department, the project led by Patrice Samen is designed to connect cocoa bean collection, storage and local processing. Patrice Samen is the promoter of SAMEN INDUSTRY S.A. and mayor of Nkongsamba 2nd. The industrial initiative is anchored in an agricultural area located near the future processing site in Baré-Bakem.
A recent working visit by the Managing Director of BGFIBank Cameroon highlighted the storage facilities, the announced expansion work and the construction site of the processing unit. The publication presents stronger collection capabilities as a way to secure supplies for the future plant. A related video also focuses on the connection between cocoa collection, financing and local processing.2
This development indicates institutional and financial interest in the project. However, the visit alone does not establish that construction has been completed, that commercial operations have started or that processed products are immediately available for sale.
Verified facts about the SAMEN INDUSTRY project
Confirmed factsThe plant is under construction in Baré-Bakem, in the Moungo department, approximately 154 km from Douala. The site covers 3 hectares, including about 1.4 hectares for the main building. Its grinding line is designed for approximately 4 tonnes per hour, equivalent to about 32,000 tonnes of cocoa beans per year. This planned annual capacity has also been reported in media coverage of the project.3
The investment is estimated at XAF 20–30 billion. The project is expected to create 300–500 direct jobs and targets the production of cocoa liquor or mass, butter, powder and cake. The foundation stone was laid on 27 February 2026 in the presence of Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana and Agriculture Minister Gabriel Mbairobe. The institutional milestone in Baré-Bakem was also covered by the press.4
The project falls within the SND30 and import-substitution framework. Its industrial purpose is to convert a greater share of cocoa beans into intermediate and finished products in Cameroon.
What buyers and industrial partners should examine
For buyers, the combination of a collection base in Nkongsamba and a processing unit in Baré-Bakem may support a territorially organised supply chain. According to the Facebook publication, the visiting delegation reviewed existing storage arrangements and expansion work. The same report states that the plant had been manufactured and preassembled in China ahead of shipment and installation in Cameroon.2
These indications require additional operational evidence before purchasing or partnership decisions are made. Professional counterparties should request confirmation of the actual start-up date, the production ramp-up schedule, product specifications, sampling protocols, storage conditions, logistics capabilities and contractual terms.
Documentary readiness may involve supplier identification, lot registration, origin data, stock movement records and documentation linking incoming beans to processed outputs. These measures relate to traceability and documentary preparation. They do not constitute a claim that SAMEN INDUSTRY or any specific lot is EUDR documentary readiness.
Information still requiring confirmation
The commissioning timetable needs to be updated. An initial announcement targeted commissioning before July 2026, while the more recent publication refers to operations starting by the end of the year. As of 24 October 2026, the supplied sources do not confirm the start of commercial production or the availability of saleable volumes.2
The effective storage capacity, equipment installation status, contractable volumes, technical specifications for each cocoa derivative, any certifications obtained and the documentation system applied at lot level also remain to be confirmed.
These points are material for industrial due diligence. Clear evidence on production status, quality controls, traceability procedures and delivery capability will be needed to convert the current institutional and financial momentum into verifiable, durable relationships with cocoa buyers and processing partners.
Video
On Facebook
Sources
- 1.news.google.com (opens in a new window)news.google.com/rss/search?q=%22Patrice+Samen%22&hl=fr&gl=FR…
- 2.Facebook Patrice Samen #1 (opens in a new window)facebook.com/61584455391668/posts/122146029951148513
- 3.EcoMatin
- 4.Actu Cameroun
Related news
Nkongsamba–Moungo: Building a Local Cocoa Processing Chain
The Baré-Bakem project led by Patrice Samen and SAMEN INDUSTRY connects cocoa collection, storage, local processing and documentary readiness across the Moungo area.
Baré-Bakem: Building an Industrial Dialogue Around Local Cocoa Processing
The SAMEN INDUSTRY project positions Moungo within a local cocoa-processing strategy. Partners now need documented clarity on operations, products and traceability.
Nkongsamba–Moungo: Building a Local Cocoa Chain Around Processing
A working visit reported in July highlights the storage, sourcing and industrial development priorities associated with SAMEN INDUSTRY’s Baré-Bakem project.