Cameroon

Getting Electricity in

Cameroon

Listed below are the procedures, time and cost required for a business to obtain an electricity connection for a newly constructed building.

The information appearing on this page was collected as part of the Doing Business project, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small- to medium-sized domestic business in 183 economies. The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in June 2011.

  • Name of Utility: AES SONEL
  • City: Douala

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No. Procedure Time to Complete Associated Costs
1 The client applies for electricity connection and awaits estimate of connection fees from AES Sonel

Along with the application (that can be submitted only in person), the client needs to submit the following when requesting an electricity connection:

• Location map (“plan de localization”)
• Copy of registered lease agreement (if tenant)
• Taxpayer’s ID card
• Commercial register
• Establishing shot (“plan de situation”)

AES Sonel then inspects the site and prepares an estimate of the connection fees. A contract is signed after the client has paid these fees.


Agency: AES Sonel 		14 calendar days no charge
* 2 The client obtains external inspection by AES Sonel



Agency: AES Sonel 		1 calendar day USD 952.4
3 The client signs a contract with and obtains external works from AES Sonel

In this case, a unit substation is necessary. All material is provided by AES Sonel.
Since 26 January 2009, a convention has been concluded between the Cameroonian government and AES SONEL. AES SONEL should provide its new customers with an electricity connection within 5 business days in the case of an extension inferior to 100 meters and within 30 business days (45 calendar days) for an extension superior to 100 meters. In case the connection is not done within the time limits, AES SONEL has to reduce the amount to be paid for consumption of electricity.
Some delays still occur in practice.

Agency: AES Sonel 		43 calendar days USD 19,047.6
4 The client obtains meter installation and final connection from AES Sonel

When the works are completed, AES Sonel installs the meter.

Agency: AES Sonel 		10 calendar days XAF 712,409.9
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.
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