The small town of Tiko, located in the South West Region of Cameroon, has marked a significant milestone in its industrial journey with the inauguration of its first tire manufacturing plant. This event, which took place on October 24, 2024, is not just a local achievement but a national triumph for Cameroon’s burgeoning industrial sector.
The plant, inaugurated by Prof. Fuh Calistus Gentry, the Minister of Mines, Industry, and Technological Development, is poised to commence operations in 2025. It promises to harness local resources, specifically rubber from the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), to produce car tires. This initiative is a strategic move to boost local production and reduce the nation’s balance of payment deficit, which has been impacted by tire imports in previous years.
Cameroon’s tire import statistics from 2022 showed a staggering 23,164 metric tonnes, costing FCFA 32.6 billion. The establishment of this factory is a step towards reversing this trend, fostering self-reliance, and promoting local industry. The government’s vision of transforming Tiko into an industrial hub is now set into motion, with the potential to create thousands of jobs for the youth and stimulate economic growth in the region.
The significance of this plant extends beyond its economic impact. It represents a shift in mindset towards industrialization and development, encouraging investors to consider opening more industries in Tiko and other parts of the country. This aligns with the broader national agenda of development and unemployment reduction.
Interestingly, this is not the first tire production endeavor in Cameroon. Antoine Ndzengué, a Cameroonian businessman, had previously launched Neptune Holding Company with the aim of producing the country’s first tires in 2023. With an investment of FCFA 400 billion, the factory at Bomono, near Douala, was planned to have a production capacity of 4.6 million tires annually, including both car and truck tires.
The Tiko tire manufacturing plant stands as a beacon of progress and a testament to the country’s commitment to industrial growth. It is a story of resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of development. As the wheels of this new factory begin to turn, so does the wheel of fortune for the people of Tiko and Cameroon at large. The road ahead looks promising, and the journey has just begun.
The Inauguration of Tiko’s First Tire Manufacturing Plant: A Leap Towards Industrialization
