Baba Ahmadou Danpullo, Cameroon’s richest man — well-known for his remarkable success in various sectors, including agro-industry, real estate, finance, and telecom — has set his sights on the maritime transport market, in a strategic move to expand his business empire.
The leading businessman recently filed a constitutive deed in December 2023 for the establishment of a new company, Societe Cameroon Port Operators, dedicated to transit and transport operations in the Central Africa sub-region.
The introduction of Societe Cameroon Port Operators as a subsidiary of the Baba Ahmadou Group marks a strategic move to diversify his business interests and further solidify his standing as one of the leading businessmen on the African continent.
Danpullo’s Societe Cameroon Port Operators charts a diverse course in Central Africa
The newly formed entity is poised to engage in a range of activities, including transit and transport operations, representation operations, rental of port handling equipment, construction, and maintenance of port infrastructure, maritime transport, port operation, and multimodal transport. This expansion reflects Danpullo’s commitment to contributing significantly to the growth and development of the Central Africa sub-region.
Danpullo, listed among Africa’s top businessmen, has mobilized a modest capital of FCFA20 million ($16,600) for the establishment of Societe Cameroon Port Operators. This follows his role as the representative in Cameroon for the Philippine firm ICTSI, which secured the concession contract for managing the multipurpose terminal of the deep-water port of Kribi in 2020.
A journey from truck driver to business tycoon
Danpullo’s rise to become Cameroon’s richest man is a testament to his remarkable determination and business acumen. From humble beginnings as a truck driver, Danpullo has played a pivotal role as the architect behind the Baba Ahmadou Group, a Cameroonian conglomerate with extensive operations across various industries.
His ownership of Ndawara Tea Estate, the largest privately-held tea estate in West Africa, showcases his strategic ventures. Danpullo maintains a substantial share in Nextel, a collaboration between Viettel Global Investment JSC and Best Invest Cameroon.
As of 2019, his wealth was valued at FCFA 547 billion ($905 million), firmly establishing him as Cameroon’s richest man and positioning him among Africa’s most affluent individuals. His foray into maritime transport is expected to shape the industry landscape, adding another milestone to his entrepreneurial journey.
