US-based cybersecurity company Cybastion is planning to invest $75 million in an artificial intelligence-powered data centre and dedicated power plant in Douala, Cameroon, as interest in the country’s technology and infrastructure sectors continues to grow.
The proposed project was announced during the inaugural US–Cameroon Bilateral Economic and Commercial Dialogue in August. It forms part of nearly US$7 billion in potential US investment and trade opportunities identified across several sectors, including technology, energy, infrastructure, critical minerals, forestry and logistics.
Cybastion’s planned facility will combine a sovereign data centre with its own power generation capacity. The company says the development is intended to respond to increasing demand for computing resources, cloud services and artificial intelligence, while addressing the reliability of electricity needed to operate such infrastructure.
The investment comes as Cameroon pushes ahead with its digital transformation plans under Vision 2035 and the National Development Strategy 2020–2030.
According to the US Department of Commerce, Cameroon’s digital economy currently contributes slightly more than 5% of the country’s GDP and is expected to expand by an average of 6.4% annually through 2029.
Much of this growth is centred around major cities such as Douala and Yaoundé, as well as Buea, which has developed a reputation as Cameroon’s “Silicon Mountain” technology hub.
The proposed Cybastion project is one of several US-linked investments being considered in Cameroon.
New York-based fintech company Azamra is looking to support investment from the Cameroonian diaspora while improving cross-border digital payments.
In the energy sector, infrastructure investor Hydromine is working towards a proposed US$3.5 billion Grand Eweng hydropower project on the Sanaga River. The development is expected to have a planned generation capacity of 1,040 megawatts.
Cameroon’s critical minerals sector is also attracting US investment. Tronox, a Connecticut-based company, is working with Australian firm Lion Rock on a proposed US$500 million rutile project.
Meanwhile, Washington, DC-based American Renaissance Minerals is discussing the development of a cobalt, nickel and manganese project in Nkamouna. The project could begin with an investment of around US$85 million.
The US Embassy in Cameroon said the range of proposed investments reflects growing private-sector interest in the country.
For Cameroon, the Cybastion development could provide an important boost to its digital infrastructure, particularly as demand for cloud computing and AI services increases. The combination of data capacity and dedicated power also highlights the importance of reliable energy in supporting the country’s ambitions to build a stronger digital economy.
