Industry analysts point to a deliberate strategy behind Somdia’s abrupt departure from Cameroon’s Sosucam, despite prior commitments to President Paul Biya by Pierre Castel.

According to insider accounts, the conglomerate has since inked a landmark deal with Côte d’Ivoire, committing FCFA 100 billion to expand the West African nation’s sugar production capacity. “The narrative being spun—that this move stems from internal family disputes—is a deliberate fabrication,” explains economic commentator Albin Njilo. “Somdia’s exit from Cameroon reflects a calculated response to systematic market manipulation by regime-connected elites.”

“While Sosucam struggled under the weight of artificially suppressed prices caused by unrestricted sugar imports, Somdia invested FCFA 4.5 billion last year hoping for regulatory intervention. Yet, import volumes surged to FCFA 125 billion—most of it benefiting shadowy importers allegedly linked to powerful figures in Yaoundé,” Njilo reveals. “These operators enjoy preferential customs treatment, importing sugar ostensibly for domestic consumption before diverting it to regional markets. Shockingly, significant stockpiles remain stranded at Ngaoundéré’s rail terminal, blocked by Chad’s recent customs crackdown on Cameroonian sugar—only to re-enter Cameroon through unofficial channels.”

The Côte d’Ivoire advantage

Unlike Cameroon’s opaque licensing system, Côte d’Ivoire’s regulatory framework prioritizes domestic producers. “When local production falls short, the government grants import quotas exclusively to registered producers—not shadowy intermediaries,” Njilo concludes. “This transparent approach has made Côte d’Ivoire the preferred destination for sustainable sugar investments.”