The competition to supply Cameroon’s state-linked cotton companies for the upcoming 2026–2027 season is heating up, with fresh tensions emerging among regional players.
At the center of the race are CNPC-C (Cotonnière Nationale du Cameroun Commerciale) and Sodecoton (Société de Développement du Coton), two key institutions in Cameroon’s cotton sector. The lucrative tender to supply raw cotton inputs and logistics services has attracted several international bidders — notably Nigeria’s Sankofa and Kenya’s Export Trading Group (ETG).
ETG, a long-time supplier to Sodecoton, is widely seen as the favourite thanks to its established distribution network and prior performance in the region. However, insiders say Sankofa’s entry could disrupt the status quo. The Nigerian firm, which has expanded rapidly across West and Central Africa in recent years, is reportedly offering competitive pricing and promises to source more materials locally — a move that could appeal to Cameroonian officials seeking to boost domestic value chains.
“The authorities want to diversify supply sources and reduce dependency on a single foreign partner,” said an industry analyst based in Garoua. “Sankofa’s bid could be part of that strategy.”
Sources within CNPC-C suggest the tender process has already sparked intense lobbying, with political and commercial interests intersecting behind the scenes. Some stakeholders fear the contest could delay procurement decisions just as the cotton sector faces mounting challenges from fluctuating global prices and rising transport costs.
Cameroon remains one of Central Africa’s leading cotton producers, with Sodecoton managing an extensive network of farmers in the northern regions. The outcome of this tender could shape the industry’s trajectory for years to come, determining who controls key supply chains in one of the region’s most strategic agricultural sectors.
