Construction of the Nachtigal hydroelectric dam (400 MW)

The Nachtigal hydroelectric project on the Sanaga River in Cameroon is one of the more substantively documented energy infrastructure developments in sub-Saharan Africa, though its classification as a Global Gateway project warrants scrutiny given the absence of any confirmed EU financial commitment in either IATI disbursement records or the EIB project database. No EU development finance records have been located for this project, and no EIB financing has been identified. The EU description citing 420 MW capacity and annual generation of over 2,100 GWh should therefore be treated as aspirational framing rather than a confirmed EU-backed outcome. The project itself has an established independent record that predates the Global Gateway initiative. The dam has been developed as a public-private partnership involving the Cameroonian state, EDF (the French energy group), and the International Finance Corporation, among others. Mongabay reported in October 2025 that Cameroon inaugurated the dam despite local dissent, suggesting the facility has reached at least a commissioning milestone, though the report's reference to controversy indicates that community displacement and environmental concerns remain unresolved issues. This is a material risk factor for any operator or lender assessing reputational or social licence exposure.