Cameroon’s aluminium production dropped sharply in the first quarter of 2025, falling by about 40.8 per cent, according to the Ministry of Finance’s recent report. The fall came after a major technical fault forced more than half of the country’s electrolysis cells to shut down.
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“Output of aluminium ingots and slabs fell by 40.8 per cent after over half of the electrolysis cells stopped working due to a technical issue,” the report confirmed.
Despite the early setback, the industry recorded a 4.5 per cent rise compared with the same quarter last year. Officials expect production to climb by around 6 per cent over the full year as repairs continue and capacity is restored.
The disruption highlights the ongoing challenges at Alucam, the Cameroon Aluminium Company, which is mainly state-owned. The firm stated a drop of 94.4 billion XAF (USD 157 million approx) in 2024, but the management is still optimistic about the revival of operations, which are expected to improve once all units are back online.
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In August 2024, Alucam signed a contract with Proalu for a monthly supply of 2,500 tonnes of raw material. The agreement, worth about 48 billion XAF ( USD 80 million approx) per year, included an advance of 9.85 billion XAF ( USD 16.4 million approx) to support cash flow and stabilise production. Talks with investors are also going on to secure new funding and strengthen the company’s long-term position.
Since its inception in 1957, Alucam has long been part of Cameroon’s industrial base over the years. While a drop in turnover is quite evident, the company continues to adapt and invest in modern solutions to improve operations. With new collaborations and deployment of modern solutions, Alucam aims to rebuild its output and reinforce its place as a key player in Central Africa’s aluminium market.
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