Concerns are growing around the Kikot dam project as rising costs, delays, and technical disagreements cast uncertainty over its execution.
In a letter sent to Cameroon’s minister of water and energy following the 14th board meeting of Kikot-Mbebe Hydro Power Company (KHPC) in September 2025, board chairman Ahmad Tom flagged multiple weaknesses in the project. The document points to risks tied to cost, timeline, technical choices, and governance, and recommends that the government begin considering fallback options.
The most immediate concern is the cost. The project is now estimated at CFA1,620 billion, nearly double the cost of the Nachtigal dam, for an installed capacity of 500 MW, about 20% higher than Nachtigal. Ahmad Tom attributes the increase to inflation since the initial estimates and to the complexity of the site. He also referenced Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, though the comparison remains limited given the differences between the two projects.
A project official noted, however, that the final cost has not yet been set. The current estimate depends on ongoing negotiations among shareholders and the completion of remaining studies, meaning the figure could still move in either direction. Early projections had placed the project closer to CFA650 billion.
The timeline is also slipping. Updated planning now places financial close in July 2027 instead of May 2027, largely due to delays in appointing EPC contractors. As a result, first power generation may not occur before the end of 2032, more than two years later than initially planned.
The letter also highlights differing priorities between the government and EDF, the French partner in the project. While the state is focused on balancing electricity supply and demand and maintaining affordable tariffs, EDF is described as prioritizing risk control and return on investment.
Technical disagreements have added to the tension. ISL, the government’s technical advisor, identified two main issues with EDF’s approach: flood discharge levels and installed capacity. ISL argues that flood estimates may be too low, raising safety concerns, and suggests that capacity could be increased to 583 MW by adding a seventh turbine to handle peak demand.
EDF disputes these findings, warning that revisiting key design parameters at this stage could disrupt the project’s structure and further increase both costs and delays. In response, the board chairman has called for continued discussions among ISL, EDF, and KHPC, with the option of referring the matter to an independent panel of dam experts if no agreement is reached.
Compensation financing is another unresolved issue. Two options are under consideration: direct payment by the state through the Ministry of Water and Energy, or pre-financing by KHPC with later reimbursement by the government. Public officials favor the second option, citing treasury constraints and project timing, while EDF has expressed caution and is requesting a phased payment mechanism until there is clearer visibility on overall financing.
The project’s development budget is also under scrutiny. KHPC management has proposed increasing it from CFA21.6 billion in 2023 to CFA46.2 billion, a 113% jump. The board has not approved the request. According to the state’s financial advisor, such an increase could raise electricity tariffs by about 4%, prompting a recommendation for an audit of KHPC’s spending.
Taken together, these issues point to a project that remains strategically important but increasingly uncertain in its execution. The message to the government is clear: while Kikot remains central to the country’s energy plans, contingency scenarios or alternative options may be needed to avoid putting Cameroon’s energy trajectory at risk.
Amina Malloum