VAlucam, a Cameroon-based aluminum company engaged in the production of ingots, plates, coils, sheets and discs, has reported substantial growth in the export of unwrought aluminum to France in 2023. The export volume amounted to 15,879 tons, making aluminum the fifth most exported product from this country to France in 2023.
The French Republic has become a dominant destination for Cameroon’s aluminum exports. In 2023, the European country received 36 % of exports from this country, contributing approximately 38.4 % of the country’s export revenues. Throughout 2023, Cameroon’s total aluminum exports reached 43,916 tons, generating CFA54.2 billion.
On August 19, 2024, the National Institute of Statistics (INS) backed up the data, revealing that these exports generated CFA 20.8 billion for Cameroon. INS data also showed that Alucam’s raw aluminum exports to France increased 2.5 times in two years. In 2021, the export volume was 6,307.3 tons, generating revenues of CFA7.5 billion. The export volume increased to 10,308.8 tons in 2022, with export revenue of about CFA12.4 billion.
In addition to supplying abroad, Alucam sells a considerable volume of its 70,000 tons of production to local companies. For example, in 2023, Alucam sold 37.3 percent of its production locally, providing raw aluminum to local processors such as China’s Everwell Cameroun, which manufactures electrical cables, and Phoenix Aluminium Cameroon, which produces aluminum profiles.
Alucam’s local market prospects are expected to improve further from 2027, with the start of servicing a new customer, Proalu SA. On August 13, 2024, Proalu SA, a subsidiary of steel giant Prometal Groupe, signed a commercial contract with the Cameroonian government and Alucam to build an industrial complex for aluminum processing in Douala-Bassa. This project guarantees annual revenues of CFA48 billion along with advance payments, improving Alucam’s financial position.
