Socapalm
6
Processing units
34 369 ha
Planted area
138 783 T
Palm oil production
8 369
Direct and indirect employees
Socapalm
Today, nearly 41% of Cameroon’s palm oil comes from the Socapalm plantations (La Société Camerounaise des Palmeraies). The future of this company, which is located in remote rural areas, is closely linked to the sustainable development of the local population and the local economic fabric.
In the mid-1960s, the vegetable oil shortage worsened in Cameroon. To address this problem, the government started the creation of large agro-industrial complexes. And so Socapalm was established in 1968.
Between 1968 and 1980, the company planted 18 000 hectares of oil palms. However, Socapalm is unfortunately not competitive in the local socio-economic context, and a privatization process was therefore initiated. Privatization became effective in June 2000.
Ever since, Socapalm has implemented an ambitious investment policy. Its investments have increased by no less than 1 000% since 2000!There have been spectacular improvements not only in the performance of the production facilities, but also in the infrastructure and community services in and around the plantations.
The company is aware that the country has a palm oil shortage certain times of the year compared to its oilseeds needs. As a result, a rejuvenation of its plantations was initiated to improve yields and environmental protection, which also benefits the company as a whole. The company also implemented a plantation diversification policy in favor of rubber cultivation.
The company engages with numerous entrepreneurs in its plantation activities and works in close collaboration with them throughout the production process.
Socapalm regards health as a key component of development. Therefore, it places health prevention at the heart of its plantations’ health policy. The medical team performs the following tasks:
- Systematic visits of the villages
- Health education on the major pandemics in Cameroon
- Occupational medicine
The company has been ISO 14001 certified since 2015, confirming its profound determination to promote a genuine culture of eco-responsibility within the company as well as within the employees’ families and environment.
Since 2013 Socapalm, in partnership with IECD, has been working to set up Family Agricultural Schools (AFS) in order to improve the professional insertion of young rural people based on the concept of work-study. The Kienké AFS opened its doors in 2014, welcoming nearly 40 children. Since 2022, the APPA (Dual Teaching Professionals Association) has carried on the mission, taking over from the IECD. In 2023, the training center became a Bilingual Agricultural Vocational and Technical College (COTPAB). COTPAB now has a student headcount of 57.
As a real backbone of economic development in the southern region, Socapalm is one of three companies listed on the Douala Stock Exchange.
RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT
Since its privatization, Socapalm has implemented an investment policy focusing on the economic development of these remote areas, but also on the creation of community infrastructure for the population. It facilitates the surrounding communities’ access to health care, education, water and roads connecting the surrounding villages and national routes.
Latest news
Journée mondiale de la Santé et de la Sécurité au travail à la Socapalm
La Conférence internationale du travail (CIT) a récemment rajouté "un environnement de travail sûr et sain" aux principes et droits fondamentaux au travail de l'OIT. Pour promouvoir ce droit fondamental et dans le cadre de la journée mondiale de la santé et de la...
Remise de médailles d’honneur du travail à la Socapalm
La Socapalm a procédé à la remise des médailles d'honneur du travail à 995 employés les 12 et 13 novembre dernier. Cette cérémonie qui contribue fortement à l'épanouissement du personnel a été ponctuée de moments forts et de grandes émotions. elle s'est déroulée...
Agro-alimentaire: Socapalm investit 150 milliards en vingt ans
L’entreprise qui a globalement bien résisté à la Covid-19, produit aujourd’hui 40% de l’huile de palme consommée au Cameroun. La Société camerounaise des palmeraies (Socapalm), célèbre cette année le vingtième anniversaire de sa privatisation, survenue dans les années...
