Feasibility study for an investment project aimed at increasing the production capacity of SODECOTON

The overall objective of the requested services was to technically support the EU, Cameroonian authorities, SODECOTON and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in a potential financing of SODECOTON's Recovery Plan.

A first feasibility study aimed to verify the relevance of agricultural and industrial investments to achieve the production targets set in SODECOTON's Recovery Plan. This study analysed in particular the financial situation, infrastructure and equipment, agricultural, industrial and energy production, and the socio-environmental impact of activities.

Based on this analysis, the mission proposed a set of investment scenarios taking into account several variables including: the rehabilitation/construction of new infrastructure, production targets, yield and productivity based on land availability, yield and productivity based on farming techniques used, cotton and other product price trends, input price trends.

The second techno-economic feasibility study focused on analysing solar energy production for the Garoua and Maroua sites through techno-financial modelling. These studies included:

A study of current and projected needs;

One (or several) photovoltaic pre-sizing(s), possibly including storage capacity;

A proposed location for the photovoltaic plant with site analysis;

A financial assessment of investments for each proposed solution;

A production cost assessment (LCOE) for each proposed solution;

One or more proposals for using the energy produced, either for self-consumption or for sale, in whole or in part, to ENEO.

Training and awareness-raising for key personnel in interpreting the results of the technical and financial modelling. Drafting of a user manual.

Both feasibility studies also took into account the international context related to the COVID-19 epidemic through a sensitivity study in February 2020 and August 2020.