Cameroon offers nine exploration blocks in 2025–26 licensing round across two proven basins

Cameroon has opened bidding for nine oil and gas blocks as part of its 2025–26 licensing round, offering acreage across two established hydrocarbon provinces with proposals due by March 30, 2026.

The tender, managed by Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures (SNH), includes three blocks in the Rio del Rey basin—Ndian River, Bolongo Exploration and Bakassi—and six in the Douala/Kribi-Campo basin: Etinde Exploration, Bomono, Nkombe Nsepe, Tilapia, Ntem and Elombo. Several of the blocks are located near existing production and benefit from prior drilling, along with available 2D and 3D seismic data.

According to African Energy Chamber, Cameroon is offering multiple contractual frameworks, including concession agreements, production sharing contracts and risk service contracts. Initial exploration periods range from three to five years, depending on the block, with options for renewal. Bidders are required to submit technical evaluations, minimum work programs, budget commitments and environmental and local content plans.

Authorities have made technical data packages available through data rooms in Yaoundé and other locations to support bid preparation. The licensing round comes as Cameroon seeks to attract new investment to offset natural decline in mature fields and sustain upstream activity in both onshore and offshore areas.

Final awards are expected in late April 2026.

Image: Perenco.