The African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) says it is developing a continental refining strategy that will establish at least five major refineries across Africa to process the continent’s crude locally, reduce costs, and retain more economic value within African economies.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the 3rd SPE Ghana Biennial International Summit and Exhibition in Accra, APPO Secretary General H.E. Farid Ghezail said Africa must move away from fragmented national energy strategies and adopt a regional approach to refining, infrastructure development, and energy industrialisation.
According to him, exporting crude oil without refining it locally limits Africa’s ability to create jobs, industrial growth, and added value from its natural resources. He stressed that countries with smaller oil reserves should collaborate regionally by sharing refining infrastructure instead of pursuing costly standalone projects.
H.E. Ghezail also identified financing and infrastructure as major barriers to unlocking Africa’s more than 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves. He noted that APPO’s Africa Energy Bank, expected to begin operations by the end of July, will support the financing of strategic oil and gas projects across the continent.
He further urged African countries to deepen collaboration, share expertise, and accelerate project development to avoid stranded resources amid the global energy transition