Inrigo is delivering its largest project to date by cleaning the drinking water for Douala in Cameroon, a city with 4.2 million inhabitants. The company, with experts from NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) and SINTEF (the Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research), has secured a contract worth approximately NOK 875 million. The state-owned Eksfin (Export Finance Norway) contributes with financing.
Japoma plant – Vital for life and health
The Japoma water treatment plant in Douala, Cameroon, will be Inrigo’s largest delivery to date. The plant, built in 1975, is in dire need of upgrades. After Inrigo’s work, it will have gone from a capacity of 55,000 cubic meters to a capacity of 123,000 cubic meters. As the largest drinking water plant in Douala and the second largest in Cameroon, the upgraded plant will provide significantly improved access to clean water for millions of people in the city, which has a population of 4.2 million.
“The Japoma plant is a milestone for Inrigo. This project will result in significant health benefits in Cameroon and create jobs in Trondheim. With financing from Eksfin, Inrigo will deliver a commercial project that will affect millions of people,” says Gaute Moldestad, Chief Operating Officer, Inrigo.
Securing a contract with a state loan from Eksfin
Norwegian Eksfin has contributed financing to both the Japoma project and Inrigo’s previous project in Cameroon.
“By Eksfin lending money to Cameroon, it becomes easier to choose Norwegian. Eksfin has good experience with both Inrigo and Cameroon from the past, who have been good commercial partners,” states Tone Lunde Bakker, CEO of Eksfin.
Hiring to solve new challenges
For Inrigo, the project means intensive work over the next two years. The company will recruit more professionals within engineering, logistics, purchasing, production, and administration. An exciting challenge in the delivery is the large physical dimensions.
“Pumps, valves, pipes, and equipment are of completely different sizes than what we normally handle for water treatment plants in Norway. This project gives us the opportunity to build new competence and recruit new resources,” says Moldestad.
Knowledge from NTNU and SINTEF
Several of Inrigo’s key personnel have backgrounds from the knowledge environments at NTNU and SINTEF. With its modular-based solution, Inrigo can build and test much of the equipment in Norway before delivery to Cameroon.
Experience from Norway, Cameroon and the USA
This is not the first time Inrigo has exported solutions to Cameroon. In 2019, the company delivered the “4 Centers” project in another part of Cameroon, which has been providing good quality drinking water ever since. Both plants have significant positive effects on life and health, and lead to a significant reduction in waterborne infections.
“Recently, Inrigo has also positioned itself towards the USA, where we are working on engineering projects and where there are good opportunities for further exports,” says Moldestad.
“It is not easy for companies to secure financing for projects in Africa. Eksfin can participate with state loans and guarantees for contracts for good commercial projects,” concludes Tone Lunde Bakker.