BY Ndumbe Bell J.G IN DOUALA
PROALU, the new subsidiary of the largest steel rolling and metallurgical plant in Central Africa – PROMETAL Group, based in the economic Capital of Cameroon, Douala, has signed a convention with ALUCAM, the aluminium production giant also based in Douala, for the production of derivatives of the sector to shore up energy infrastructure, construction and socio-economic development in Cameroon. This took place last September 12, at their new 72000 square meter site at the Magzi Industrial development zone in Bassa, Douala just by the many other Prometal Group subsidiaries.
The ceremony was chaired by the direct representative of Cameroon’s Head of state, Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Dion Ngute. The PM was accompanied by his close collaborators of the Ministry of Commerce and that of Technological Development who met Senior stakeholders of development such as the Governor of Littoral region, Samuel I. Deboua, the City Mayor of Douala, Dr. Mbassa Ndine, SDOs, Chiefs, DOs, security officials, Prometal management and workforce etc, to witness the laying of the foundation stone for the take-off of the investment project said to be estimated at FCFA 88 billion.
According to the Chairman of Prometal Group, Hayssam El Jammal, the move is within the framework of public-private partnership to support the state’s strategic development objectives and that of the Central African cluster, CEMAC.
The Board Chair and Founder of the PROMETAL GROUP, Hayssam, in his welcome address, highlighted and deeply appreciated the financial contributions of government and the conglomerate of banks and other financial institutions for their commitment and support to realise the FCFA 88 billion project.
He expressed the institution’s gratitude and unalloyed support to the state, from the preliminary levels to the maturity which includes the financing negotiations till the signing of the agreements with the government and ALUCAM. Hayssam El Jammal recollected the strategic investment partnership with the state of Cameroon with reciprocated commitments made by both the public and private parties. “Yesterday with steel, we met the expectations of the state. Today, with the aluminium sector and in synergy with ALUCAM, a major industrial player and sub-regional leader in aluminium production, we are pleased to repeat our commitments”, he stated.
The CEO reiterated his optimistic stance in their new partnership with ALUCAM and the supervision of the state, with ALUCAM as a supplier. “This project is a good example by which under the supervision of the state of Cameroon, represented by the Head of Government, two national industrialists have decided to carry high the vision of His Excellency Paul Biya, President of the Republic of Cameroon as underlined in the Strategic National Development Plan of 2030 (SDN30) and the industrialization master plan. ALUCAM and PROALU are pooling their strengths to make our country the sub-regional leader in the processing of aluminum and related products.”
Robust disclosures were made as to what each of the private industrial giants would realise out of the provisions of their investment and partnerships. The subsidiary of the Prometal Group, led by their Founder and Chairman, Hayssam El Jammal will purchase alumina inputs (primary commodities) worth a whopping FCFA 48 billion annually to boost import substitution, by importing less generally and produce the electric cables and wires needed by the state to supply the much-needed energy sector, for example. PROALU is expected to produce 60 000 tons yearly of a list of goods such as 30 000 tons annually of plain and precoated aluminium steed coils, 30 000 tons of precoated steel coils, sandwich panels, composite panels, 8 000 tons annually of copper and alluminium electrical cables.
Aside from jobs openings especially for the youth and the impact on the overall economy, Prometal steel metallurgical group has systematised perfect steel value chain from scrap metal to finished products adding quantity and quality. Their press release also boasted that the manufacture and processing of steel now have the skills to be locally acquired.
Even though ALUCAM, the aluminium giant may still rely heavily on some imports, according to reports, the partnerships with PROALU will enable their diversification of supply by increasing mutual production capacity to supply markets in and out.
Accordingly, the value chain will improve through the production of new products that were previously imported. This will enable the surge in made-in-Cameroon goods to dominate the development of the regional market.
The Commercial arrangement of PROALU on ALUCAM will increase yearly production of ALLUCAM to 350 000 tons according to the PM, Head of Government, which is guaranteed as a major local buyer for ALUCAM products. ALUCAM is now poised to supply an estimated 2 500 tons of commodities monthly. PROALU will purchase raw materials at the rate of FCFA 4 billion monthly which is FCFA 48 billion yearly. At this rate, PROALU is reportedly contributing to the financial stability of the aluminium giant and its revival in the long-term market. There is also reduced external dependence, the consolidation of the local and sub-regional aluminium market and the promotion and implementation of its reinvestment plan to increase production.
-Enters PM Dion Ngute
PM Dion Ngute was deeply appreciative to all the key players in PROMETAL, the Douala region, the related ministries and all others who helped to make the occasion a resounding success. He thanked everyone for the special welcome prepared for him as the special representative of the President of the Republic and in his person.
For the matter of the day, the Prime Minister continued that PROMETAL is within the framework of the Head of State’s policy as he has chosen to make steelmaking, especially bauxite in the aluminum sector, one of the key pillars of industrial development to fully integrate the value chain in its four main segments namely extraction of bauxite, transformation of alumina into aluminum and the manufacture of various finished products. Government is thus working to create a conducive environment favorable to the development of key industrial sectors. This will support the local production of construction materials in appreciable quantities and at affordable cost. This involves ALUCAM whose dependence of inputs had been largely imported, but now, because of the exploitation of bauxite in Cameroon, that aspect has been checked. The ecosystem is expected to improve ALUCAM’s production capacity to 360 000 tons annually.
The PM, Head of Government equally precised that the increase in production by ALUCAM will enable some exports to the European Union and the African Free Trade Zone (or ZLECAF). Reason why, the PM continued, the PROALU project fits properly within this context and this vision. Purchase of raw materials from ALUCAM by PROALU will bring FCFA 48 billion yearly. They will pay FCFA 2 billion taxes annually and value chain tax or VAT will bring FCFA 6 billion a year. PROALU is expected to produce 70 000 tons of aluminum- derived products, a clear improvement in Cameroon’s trade balance.
That is why it was explained PROALU has benefitted from access to investment incentives under Cameroon’s investment charter through the ordonnance of July 18, 2025.
The Head of government expressed government’s determination to increase energy supply in the aluminum industry to improve competitive performance “I would like to assure PROALU and all partners in the transformation industry on the density and quality supply of electricity”, he said, disclosing that a meeting was recently held with the world bank.
The creation of the subsidiary of the PROMETAL GROUP will socially impact on society through the creation of 450 direct workforce and 1000 indirect opportunities to significantly contribute to the socio-economic and public finance domains by consuming 15 MW ( Mega Watts) of contracted electrical energy and 800 000 metric cube of gas consumed annually. It will contribute in the reduction of Cameroon’s trade deficit through less dependence in imports. The production in the zone to other countries of the region will stimulate technological transfer including the promotion of another growth sector.
The Board Chair and Founder of the PROMETAL GROUP, Hayssam El Jammal, earlier in his welcome address, highlighted and deeply appreciated the financial contributions of government and a conglomerate of banks and other financial institutions for their commitment and support to realise the FCFA 88 billion project (PROALU).
Aside the production of infrastructural tools for construction and now, for energy boost, Chairman Hayssam EL Jammal highlighted other sectors of special focus with the state; “All of our synergies combined in this action further strengthens our determination to continue our committed work of supporting and accompanying the state in its social priorities in particular, heath, unemployment, poverty and the security of our fellow citizens as the state cannot do everything alone – citing the Fire Brigade Rescue Centre in the Bassa industrial zone as an example.
The chairman of the group did not forget to express his gratitude to the chair of the ALUCAM Board of Director and Managing Director for contributing their technical facilitation to realise the project. Chairman Hayssam also made special mention and poured accolades to financial partners who contributed towards the realisation of the project to be completed in the first half of the year in 2027.
BGFI invested or contributed FCFA 15 billion, 550 million; Societe General FCFA 15 billion investments; PROPARCO FCFA 15 billion; AFRILAND FIRST Bank invested FCFA 8 billion, 900 million.