Cameroon's Société nationale des hydrocarbures (SNH) launched its 2026 licensing round in Cape Town at the African Farmout Forum held alongside African Energy Week. Six blocks are offered for exploration in three sedimentary basins: Rio del Rey, Douala/Kribi-Campo and Logone Birni. Submissions are accepted until May 28, 2027, and results are announced for June 2027.
The blocks being offered are Ndian River and Bakassi in the Rio del Rey basin; Kombe-Nsepe and Bomono in Douala/Kribi-Campo; and Zina and Makary in Logone Birni. According to SNH's presentation, all six areas have 2D seismic data and are near established oil activity in the region.
The AEW launch places Cameroon in an international process of seeking partners and capital. However, the availability of seismic data and proximity to proven assets are not enough to determine each block's commercial potential. Operators will need to examine the data, define work programs and estimate costs and risks before submitting bids.
Three basins with different geological settings
The Ndian River and Bakassi blocks are in the Rio del Rey basin, a coastal area in southwestern Cameroon known for oil activity. Proximity to areas already being developed may facilitate access to expertise and regional infrastructure. It does not guarantee that the new areas contain economically recoverable accumulations. Applicants will need to analyze seismic data, available wells and each block's specific geological characteristics.
Kombe-Nsepe and Bomono belong to the Douala/Kribi-Campo basin. This coastal basin's diversity places the blocks in an environment where exploration must consider local characteristics, access infrastructure and acquired data. The 2D seismic information provides an initial view of the subsurface, but companies may need additional work, including acquiring or reprocessing more detailed data, before deciding to drill.
Finally, Zina and Makary are in the Logone Birni basin in northern Cameroon. Their inclusion broadens the offering beyond coastal areas and gives investors an opportunity to assess a different setting. Relative distance from production facilities and networks may be a cost factor to consider. A potential discovery's value will also depend on the possibility of connecting it to existing infrastructure or financing new facilities.
The licensing round must convert interest into work programs
Pierre Eric Nkoa Nkoa, SNH's deputy director of exploration, said submissions will remain open until May 28, 2027, with results expected the following month. This period gives operators time to assess the blocks and prepare bids. The quality of information supplied, data access rules and clarity of selection criteria will influence the process's ability to attract strong partners.
For companies, initial analysis will need to translate into a credible work program. This may include geological and geophysical studies, additional seismic operations and, depending on risk levels and contractual obligations, exploration drilling. Each stage entails costs and uncertainties. Investors will weigh geological potential against the fiscal regime, local content obligations, production-sharing terms and stability of the rules.
SNH is offering six blocks in a market where exploration projects compete for capital. Neighboring countries and other jurisdictions represented at the forum also presented their own farm-out or licensing opportunities. Cameroon will therefore need to make its terms sufficiently clear and competitive while preserving public interests in resource development.
A forum connecting assets with partners
The African Farmout Forum featured 23 presentations on partnership and financing opportunities in Africa and beyond. Proposals covered exploration blocks, seismic campaigns, drilling and producing assets. Within this setting, Cameroon's announcement targets operators able to finance evaluation and share risks in the early stages of exploration.
Farm-out transactions allow a license holder to transfer an interest to a partner in exchange for financing or work. They can share exploration costs and accelerate data collection, but must specify each party's responsibilities, deadlines and rights. Cameroon's round will be judged not only by the number of applications, but also by the quality of work commitments and operators' ability to execute them.
Measuring success beyond the number of bids
Launching a licensing round is an opening step, rather than confirmation of a discovery or a production decision. Indicators to monitor will include company interest, concluded agreements, exploration investment actually committed and progress in fieldwork. Geological results, possible discoveries and their commercial potential will follow.
For Cameroon, the new campaign can help renew its sedimentary basins' prospects and attract partners to varied areas. Success will depend on SNH's ability to combine accessible data, predictable contractual terms and rigorous selection. The announced dates, May and June 2027, will provide the next milestones for assessing whether interest generated in Cape Town has translated into strong bids.