Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development Fuh Calistus Gentry ordered Metafrique Steel closed until it implements the recommendations of investigations into an accident at its Douala plant on 2 November 2026 that killed five people and left 12 others seriously injured, the ministry announced after a meeting with the metallurgical sector on 4 November 2026.
The meeting, held at the Littoral governor's office, brought together Governor Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, the Wouri prefect, the attorney general, the mayor of Douala, regional council officials, security commanders and representatives of FOKOU, ACERO, Metafrique Steel and PROMETAL. Gentry said the closure would last until the recommendations are implemented and announced an administrative and technical inquiry under the National Inspection Committee to establish the circumstances of the accident and possible responsibilities.
The minister said victims would be cared for, workers protected and sanctions applied where violations of safety standards are proven. He also urged industrialists to modernise their production processes, favouring iron ore enriched to 60-64% for making billets from iron concentrate, with state support.
Douala accounts for about 90% of the industrial capacity of Cameroon and the CEMAC sub-region, so the closure of one plant affects jobs, suppliers and the production chain.
Sources
- 237 Online Metafrique Steel fermée : billettes et minerai à 60-64 % en vue
- Cameroun Actuel Douala : après le drame de Metafrique Steel, le gouvernement renforce les contrôles de sécurité industrielle
- Actu Cameroun Sécurité industrielle : après le drame de Metafrique Steel, les acteurs de la filière métallurgique mobilisés