Socadel: Brigade Nationale Lutte Fraude Cameroun Established

• Cameroon's Minister of Water and Energy evaluated Socadel's initial 100-day roadmap on October 8, 2026.
• Socadel will soon establish a national brigade to combat electricity fraud and enhance recovery efforts.
• Monthly collections from anti-fraud measures increased by 26% between May and July 2026 compared to the preceding four months.
• New customer connections grew by 14% from April to July 2026, with 2.431 million total connections by September 2026.
• Socadel completed 23 new distribution posts and 50 km of power lines by August 2026, with more infrastructure projects underway.

The establishment of a national anti-fraud brigade underscores a heightened commitment to ensuring the integrity of the electricity supply chain and the financial viability of the state-owned utility.

The Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, conducted a crucial evaluation visit on October 8, 2026, to the operational center of the Société Camerounaise d’Électricité (Socadel). This visit aimed to assess the progress of Socadel's strategic roadmap during its initial 100 days following the appointment of its first executive team. As a fully state-owned entity, Socadel has been actively engaged in laying the groundwork for its transformation, focusing on comprehensive restructuring and modernization initiatives since its inception.

A significant outcome of this assessment, and a key focus of Socadel's ongoing efforts, is the imminent establishment of a national brigade dedicated to combating fraud. This new unit is designed to bolster the institutional framework and enhance the effectiveness of the fight against energy-related illicit activities across Cameroon. Socadel has expressed strong support for this development, anticipating that it will lead to more coordinated and impactful actions against fraud.

With robust backing from the government, specifically through the Ministry of Water and Energy and national law enforcement agencies, Socadel has intensified its campaigns for collecting outstanding payments and combating electricity fraud. A specialized operation targeting accumulated unpaid bills from clients was launched in July 2026. This initiative employs a dual approach, combining public awareness campaigns with stringent enforcement measures to reach customers more directly.

The increased deployment of security forces has significantly improved the safety of Socadel personnel in the field, particularly those conducting fraud inspections and service disconnections. These concerted efforts are already yielding positive financial results. Between May and July 2026, the average monthly collections attributed to anti-fraud activities saw a notable 26% increase compared to the monthly average recorded from January to April 2026, demonstrating the early success of these intensified measures.

Beyond enforcement, Socadel has also made considerable strides in expanding its customer base and improving infrastructure. Since the company took over operations, the rate of new customer connections has accelerated significantly. For instance, the number of new connections rose by 14% from 9,632 in April 2026 to 11,019 by July of the same year. This positive trend, with approximately 11,000 new connections per month, continues to date.

As of the end of September 2026, Socadel's network now serves 2.431 million households and businesses. A substantial portion of these, over 400,000, have benefited from the PERACE facility. Furthermore, prepaid metering has seen widespread adoption, with 1,090,654 connected homes and businesses utilizing this system, accounting for 44.85% of the total customer base. Infrastructure development has also progressed, with 23 distribution posts and 50 kilometers of medium and low voltage lines completed by the end of August 2026. These include critical distribution lines for power evacuation from the newly constructed SONATREL Nylon-Douala post and those originating from the Nyom post. Currently, 35 local distribution posts and 60 kilometers of medium and low voltage lines are under construction.

The comprehensive actions undertaken by Socadel, encompassing operational restructuring, aggressive fraud prevention, and significant network expansion, hold profound implications for Cameroon's energy sector. The establishment of a national anti-fraud brigade underscores a heightened commitment to ensuring the integrity of the electricity supply chain and the financial viability of the state-owned utility. This move is expected to foster a more equitable distribution of energy costs and reduce losses incurred from illicit activities, ultimately benefiting the broader public.

The consistent growth in new customer connections and the strategic deployment of prepaid meters indicate a concerted effort to enhance energy access and improve payment efficiency across the nation. Coupled with substantial investments in distribution infrastructure, these initiatives are crucial for meeting the increasing demand for electricity and supporting national development goals. The positive financial indicators from anti-fraud efforts suggest a path towards greater financial stability for Socadel, enabling further investment and improved service delivery for the millions of households and businesses it serves.

Lawyers and compliance officers should advise clients in Cameroon, particularly those with significant electricity consumption, to review their billing and usage practices. The imminent establishment of a national anti-fraud brigade by Socadel signals increased enforcement and potential legal action against electricity fraud and unpaid bills, necessitating proactive compliance to avoid penalties or disputes.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun.