(Business in Cameroon) - Cameroon-based petroleum company Tradex is preparing to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo's market, with its first retail outlets scheduled to open in 2026, according to a company source. The group is targeting a market estimated at nearly $1 billion for fuel sales alone, in addition to an estimated $600 million to $700 million in petroleum products imported by mining operators. To secure its market position, Tradex aims to operate across the key parts of the downstream petroleum value chain. In the Central African Republic, Tradex took over half of the network previously operated by Transoil in 2006, acquiring 22 stations. With this progressive rollout, Tradex projects it will have a total of 112 operational service stations across Central Africa by the end of 2025, directly employing nearly 1,680 people.