Tradex to enter Congo’s fuel market in 2026
Cameroonian company targets $1 billion market as part of regional expansion.
Cameroon-based petroleum company Tradex is preparing to launch its first service stations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2026, marking a significant step in the company’s regional growth strategy.
The new subsidiary, Tradex Democratic Republic of Congo, reportedly has a share capital of 2.5 billion CFA francs (approx. $4 million USD) and will be headed by Philippe Attang Atomb Bekondj, as reported by Business in Cameroon. Tradex is eyeing a fuel retail market worth nearly $1 billion, alongside an additional $600–700 million in petroleum products imported by the country’s mining sector.
The DRC market is currently dominated by major international players such as Engen Petroleum, TotalEnergies, and Cobil. To compete effectively, the company plans to establish a presence across key segments of the downstream petroleum value chain, from fuel distribution to retail.
This move is part of the Tradex’s broader regional expansion strategy, which began in 2004 with its entry into Chad, where it operates three service stations in N’Djamena and plans further expansion into major and secondary cities in 2026.
With its continued expansion, Tradex expects to operate 112 service stations across Central Africa by the end of 2025, creating nearly 1,680 direct jobs. The upcoming launch in the DRC is set to become one of the company’s most significant growth milestones.
