SCDP Announces Sharp Decline in Fuel Losses Without Publishing Loss Rates

Cameroon’s state-owned petroleum storage company, SCDP, says it cut fuel product losses by more than half during the first five months of 2026, although the absence of key operational data makes it difficult to measure the full extent of the improvement.

According to the company, average losses across all petroleum products fell from nearly 3,000 cubic meters between January and May 2025 to less than 1,500 cubic meters over the same period this year, a decline of at least 50% in absolute volume.

The figures were presented on July 2 in Douala during the company’s regular “Losses and Measures” meeting, which brings together SCDP and petroleum distributors, commonly known as marketers. Chaired by Deputy General Manager Gabriel Eteki Ebokolo, the meeting focused on inventory discrepancies and the performance of storage and measurement systems.

Lower losses, but no loss rate

SCDP did not disclose the total volume of petroleum products received, stored, and delivered during either period, nor did it publish the corresponding loss rate. As a result, it is impossible to determine whether operational efficiency improved by the same proportion as the decline in absolute losses.

Reducing losses from 3,000 to less than 1,500 cubic meters appears to be a significant improvement. However, the result must also be viewed alongside changes in the volume of products handled. If throughput increased in 2026, the operational gains would be greater than the raw figures suggest. Conversely, lower activity could account for part of the decline.

The company also did not provide a breakdown by storage depot or product type. The available data therefore do not show which facilities posted the biggest improvements or whether the losses involved gasoline, diesel, kerosene, or aviation fuel.

SCDP credits equipment upgrades

Gabriel Eteki Ebokolo attributed the lower losses to investments in storage and measurement infrastructure, as well as to commitments made jointly by SCDP and fuel distributors. He described the effort as an ongoing process that the company intends to deepen and highlighted the quality of its cooperation with marketers.

SCDP, however, did not disclose what equipment had been installed, how much had been invested, or which depots had been upgraded. Those details would help assess both the cost of the improvements and their contribution to reducing inventory losses.

For SCDP, every cubic meter saved can reduce the financial losses associated with storage and handling operations. Fuel distributors also stand to benefit through lower losses on the volumes they receive and deliver. The financial impact, however, depends on how losses are allocated between SCDP and marketers under their contractual arrangements.

Lower losses could also increase the volume of petroleum products ultimately sold and subject to fuel taxes. SCDP did not estimate either the value of the products preserved or the potential increase in tax revenue.

Net profit rose 44% in 2025

The operational improvement follows stronger financial results in 2025. According to SCDP’s financial statements, revenue rose 8.1% to CFA29.02 billion from CFA26.85 billion in 2024. Net profit increased 44% to CFA3.11 billion from CFA2.16 billion.

However, nothing in the company’s published information establishes a direct link between its 2025 financial performance and the reduction in product losses reported for the first five months of 2026.

To provide a clearer picture of its progress, SCDP will need to publish additional performance indicators, including total product volumes handled, loss rates, depot- and product-level data, the financial value of avoided losses, and how its performance compares with industry benchmarks.

Frédéric Nonos