Cany Jobe was appointed Director General of the Petroleum Commission in January 2026 by President Adama Barrow and has over 18 years of international experience across the oil and gas value chain.
She holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Western Australia and a Master’s degree in International Project Management from Glasgow Caledonian University.
Prior to her appointment, she served as Director of Exploration and Production at the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation, where she was instrumental in upstream strategy development, data management and engagement with prospective investors.
She has also held positions with regional and international institutions across Asia, Australia, West Africa and America, including roles with China Petroleum Corporation, Venezuela’s PDVSA and the ECOWAS Commission as a national consultant. Gambia’s Cany Jobe Wins Top African Energy Award In London
The Gambian female celebrated petroleum engineer and Director General of the Petroleum Commission of The Gambia, Ms Cany Jobe, has bagged another award at the just concluded Africa Energies Summit held in London, demonstrating her competence and recognition in the global energy industry.
She was announced the winner of the Leading Woman in African Energy Award at the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Big Five Board Awards, held during the grand finale of the Africa Energies Summit.
The award recognises her pioneering female leadership in Africa’s energy sector.
The multiple award-winning energy expert was nominated alongside distinguished industry figures, including Acting CEO of the Petroleum Commission of Ghana, Emeafa Hardcastle; Vice President for Exploration at Shell, Nisrine Al Kadi; and Special Adviser on Energy to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Olu Arowolo Verheijen.
In her acceptance remarks, Engr. Jobe said the recognition was profoundly meaningful, not only because of the award itself, but because of what it represents. She noted that it recognises the role of women in shaping Africa’s energy future through leadership, policy, regulation, exploration, investment and national development.
She accepted the award with gratitude, humility and a deep sense of responsibility, dedicating it to her fellow nominees and to girls and women everywhere — both those on the margins and those in leadership positions.
Cany Jobe was appointed Director General of the Petroleum Commission in January 2026 by President Adama Barrow and has over 18 years of international experience across the oil and gas value chain.
She holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Western Australia and a Master’s degree in International Project Management from Glasgow Caledonian University.
Prior to her appointment, she served as Director of Exploration and Production at the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation, where she was instrumental in upstream strategy development, data management and engagement with prospective investors.
She has also held positions with regional and international institutions across Asia, Australia, West Africa and America, including roles with China Petroleum Corporation, Venezuela’s PDVSA and the ECOWAS Commission as a national consultant.
Cany Jobe was appointed Director General of the Petroleum Commission in January 2026 by President Adama Barrow and has over 18 years of international experience across the oil and gas value chain.
She holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Western Australia and a Master’s degree in International Project Management from Glasgow Caledonian University.
Prior to her appointment, she served as Director of Exploration and Production at the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation, where she was instrumental in upstream strategy development, data management and engagement with prospective investors.
She has also held positions with regional and international institutions across Asia, Australia, West Africa and America, including roles with China Petroleum Corporation, Venezuela’s PDVSA and the ECOWAS Commission as a national consultant. Rwanda Plans First Nuclear Power Plant By 2030
Rwanda is aiming to commission its first nuclear power plant, mainly based on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, by 2030, with plans to scale up nuclear generation to account for more than 60% of the country’s energy mix by 2050.
President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, disclosed this in Kigali during the recent Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa, which was attended by Rafael Mariano Grossi, alongside Samia Suluhu Hassan and Faure Gnassingbé.
The summit brought together governments, regulators, financiers, industry players, and technology partners to explore how nuclear energy can support development opportunities across Africa.
The IAEA Director-General discussed Rwanda’s ambitious nuclear power plans with President Kagame and delivered the final report of an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission.
Mr. Grossi also signed an agreement with Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, to strengthen cooperation between Rwanda and the International Atomic Energy Agency on integrating nuclear energy into the country’s energy mix, including the deployment of small modular reactors.
The INIR report marks a major milestone in Rwanda’s efforts to lay the foundation for a safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear power programme.
President Kagame welcomed the delivery of the report, saying: “Rwanda is pleased to have successfully completed the IAEA’s Phase 1 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR).
“We intend to have nuclear energy operational by the early 2030s, and this assessment confirms that we are on track. For Africa, energy is not simply a development issue; it is the foundation of industrial growth and competitiveness,” he said.
Mr. Grossi also held discussions with President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania on expanding cooperation between the IAEA and Tanzania, covering cancer care and plans to boost food security under the IAEA’s Rays of Hope and Atoms4Food flagship initiatives, as well as Tanzania’s plans to develop its power infrastructure.
African countries account for around half of all newcomer nations working with the IAEA, with 13 countries actively pursuing nuclear power programmes.
New financing opportunities for nuclear power projects on the continent are also expected after the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Bank signed an agreement in 2025 to collaborate on nuclear energy for development.
“Africa’s energy future will be built by Africans, and the IAEA is ready to continue supporting countries across the continent, from infrastructure development and capacity building to new technologies such as SMRs,” said Mr. Grossi.
“Africa’s economic transformation depends fundamentally on reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy systems,” said President Hassan during the summit.
She added that Africa’s expanding digital infrastructure, as well as growing demand in manufacturing and mining, had increased the need for stable baseload power.
“Civil nuclear power — and in particular small modular reactors and micro-reactors — are no longer a distant prospect,” said Faure Gnassingbé. “The World Bank has lifted its long-standing ban on financing nuclear power. COP meetings and financial institutions have endorsed this technology because it has evolved, and the global context has changed too. It is now up to us to change our perspective.”
India Raises Fuel Prices For Fourth Time As Oil Crisis Hits Consumers
India’s state-owned energy majors that trade in fuels raised prices at the pump for the fourth time in the space of a month, reflecting the continued effect of the Strait of Hormuz closure on oil and fuel flows.
The cumulative price hike since the start of the month comes in at 8.6% for diesel fuel, Reuters reported today, and 7.8% for gasoline.
The first fuel price hike took place in Mid-May, with refiners including Indian Oil Corp., Bharat Petroleum Corp, and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. hiking their retail prices by over 3% for the first time in four years.
Since the war in the Middle East began and cut off over 40% of India’s crude oil flows, those that passed through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the highest-flying economies in Asia has seen its oil import bill soar, investors fleeing the capital market, and the local currency plunging to an all-time low against the U.S. dollar.
As a result, the world’s third-largest crude importer saw its wholesale inflation jump to 8.3% in April from a year earlier, significantly accelerating from 3.88% annual inflation in March, driving wholesale fuel prices higher.
These surged in April, with gasoline prices up by 32.4% and diesel prices up by 25.19%. That’s up from a monthly rise of 2.5% for gasoline in March, and 3.62% for diesel.
The government in New Delhi, meanwhile, has called for fuel conservation, including through working from home, carpooling, and using public transport instead of personal vehicles.
The measures are urgently needed because, as international oil prices surge, so does India’s oil import bill, which in turn affects refiners’ bottom lines.
The oil and fuel import bill for March stood at $12.1 billion, The Banker reported this month, rising further to $18.6 billion in April, in a 53% monthly jump.
This month will likely see a further rise in oil import prices as benchmarks creep higher.
Kenya: Siaya Residents Oppose Planned Nuclear Power Plant
Residents of Sakwa in Bondo Sub-county, Kenya, on Thursday took to the streets to demonstrate against the proposed establishment of the country’s first nuclear power plant, which is scheduled for construction in 2027.
Carrying placards and chanting anti-nuclear slogans, the residents raised serious concerns about environmental safety, public health, and what they described as a glaring lack of community consultation.
The protesters displayed banners bearing inscriptions such as “We Reject,” firmly reiterating their opposition to the proposed plant to be built in the area.
Chaos and noise engulfed the area as a moderator attempted to calm the protesters during what appeared to be a public participation forum.
“We have rejected the plan to have a nuclear plant in Siaya. We don’t want it,” one resident was heard saying.
The protests come as the Kenyan government, through the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), intensifies plans to establish the country’s first nuclear power station in the county.
The KSh500 billion project is expected to be funded through a mix of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), combining public resources with private-sector investment to reduce the burden on taxpayers while attracting global expertise.
The nuclear plant is expected to generate between 1,000 and 3,000 megawatts of electricity and strengthen Kenya’s electricity sector, which continues to face growing demand.
The increasing demand for electricity has created the need for stable baseload power, which nuclear energy is expected to provide, complementing existing renewable energy sources that are often affected by weather and climate variability.
In a statement, NuPEA Chief Executive Officer, Justus Wabuyabo, assured residents that the project would not proceed without the broad and informed consent of the local host community.
“We wish to assure the public that the stakeholder engagement process is firmly ongoing. We are moving from high-level institutional planning into deep, village-level grassroots sensitisation,” Wabuyabo stated.
He emphasised that the agency is fully committed to implementing a robust, transparent, and multi-layered educational campaign designed to address concerns regarding local safety, livelihoods, and land ownership.
“As the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, we hear and respect the voices of the residents of Siaya. Public participation is not a mere procedural formality. It is a constitutional right and a technical necessity for a successful national nuclear programme,” the CEO added.
Community members accused authorities of keeping them in the dark, claiming officials had failed to conduct adequate public participation before identifying Sakwa as a potential site for the project.
The project was initially proposed for Kilifi County. However, strong opposition from coastal residents, environmental groups, and local leaders forced the government to shift its focus to Siaya County in western Kenya.
Kenya Moves To Introduce Ethanol-Blended Petrol To Reduce Fuel Imports
Kenya is moving forward with the implementation of the Energy (Biofuels) Regulations, 2025, which will support the phased rollout of locally produced biofuel blends across the country’s fuel supply chain.
The initiative forms part of broader national efforts to strengthen energy security, diversify energy sources, and reduce dependence on imported fuel.
As part of the implementation process, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) convened a high-level stakeholder consultation that brought together regulators, oil marketing companies, ethanol producers, manufacturers, logistics firms, and other industry participants.
The discussions focused on sector preparedness, infrastructure requirements, implementation priorities, and the operationalisation of Kenya’s biofuel blending framework.
The regulations establish a framework for blending locally produced biofuels with petroleum through the phased introduction of E5 and E10 fuels. E5 contains 5% bioethanol, while E10 contains 10% bioethanol.
Gazetted in December 2025, the Energy (Biofuels) Regulations, 2025, cover biofuel production, licensing, blending, transportation, storage, distribution, and sales.
The rollout comes at a time when countries are reassessing their energy security and fuel resilience amid ongoing global oil market volatility and geopolitical disruptions.
Bioethanol is produced from feedstocks such as sugarcane molasses, cassava, maize, and sorghum through fermentation and distillation, while biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils, waste cooking oil, and other organic materials through chemical processing.
Bioethanol and biodiesel can also be further refined to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is increasingly being adopted globally as part of efforts to decarbonise the aviation sector.
Governments around the world are promoting biofuels to strengthen energy resilience, reduce oil dependence, support agriculture, diversify fuel sources, and lower transport emissions.
Countries such as Brazil, India, the United States, Thailand, and South Africa have expanded biofuel blending programmes. Kenya aims to leverage local feedstocks to support a similar transition, creating economic opportunities across agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and renewable energy.
Speaking during the stakeholder consultation, Dr. Eng. Joseph Oketch, Acting Director General of EPRA, said:
“The Biofuels Regulations provide Kenya with an important opportunity to strengthen energy security while building new local industries around agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable energy. As we scale up domestic bioethanol production and structured blending, we can gradually reduce exposure to external fuel shocks while creating new opportunities for farmers, investors, manufacturers, and other players across the value chain.”
Gambia: NAWEC Blames Technical Faults For Power Outages
The Gambia’s National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) has attributed the recent intermittent power outages being experienced in parts of the country to what it described as significant technical faults affecting sections of the electricity distribution system.
The faults have impacted the stability and reliability of power supply, resulting in unplanned service interruptions in several areas.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NAWEC said its technical teams are working around the clock to identify the root causes and carry out the necessary repairs and network reinforcements to restore normal and stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.
The company also informed customers that some feeders will continue to experience load shedding, particularly during peak demand periods, as part of ongoing efforts to manage limited generation capacity and stabilize the network until the situation is fully resolved.
NAWEC said it fully understands the inconvenience the situation may cause, especially as the country approaches the Eid al-Adha (Tobaski) festivities, a period of high electricity demand and great social significance.
The company apologized for the disruptions and expressed appreciation for the patience, understanding, and continued cooperation of its customers during this challenging period.
“Efforts are being intensified across all operational areas to improve network stability and minimise further disruptions,” the statement concluded.
Oil Prices Drop Below $100 On Iran Deal Optimism
Oil prices dropped below $100 in early Asian trade on Monday following reports over the weekend that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was in its final stages.
At the time of writing, both oil benchmarks had dropped by more than 5%, with Brent breaking back below $100 to trade at $98.81, while WTI fell to $92.06.
Optimism around a deal was tempered somewhat on Sunday when President Donald Trump posted on social media that he had informed his representatives “not to rush into a deal.”
A senior U.S. administration official later added that, while progress had been made, the deal would not be signed on Sunday.
The deal aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end the war, and see Iran give up its enriched uranium.
The first stage of the agreement would involve a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, during which traffic would resume through the Strait while nuclear negotiations continue.
Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that the number of vessels transiting the Strait could return to pre-war levels within 30 days if an agreement is reached.
The deal would also include an end to the war between Israel and Hezbollah, although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that “any final agreement with Iran must eliminate the nuclear danger.”
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Spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Esmail Baghaei said that while the memorandum of understanding was in its final stages, details regarding the nuclear issue were not being discussed at this stage.
While an agreement would provide much-needed relief to oil markets, it remains unclear how quickly oil flows could return to pre-war levels and how long it would take to restore damaged oil and gas infrastructure.
Even then, without a final agreement that clearly guarantees uninterrupted traffic through the Strait in the future, the geopolitical risk of another major energy crisis would remain.
Zambia: High Court Jails Man For 10 Years For Vandalising Power Infrastructure
A High Court in Kabwe, Zambia, presided over by Judge M. Chanda-Mate, has sentenced Webster Chongo to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for vandalising critical power infrastructure belonging to ZESCO Limited, Zambia’s power utility company.
The convict was sentenced on 7 May 2026 after being found guilty of vandalism, contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
The court sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour on two counts, with both sentences running concurrently from the date of his arrest on 14 March 2025, meaning he will serve an effective 10-year jail term.
In a press statement, ZESCO Limited welcomed the court’s decision, describing the judgment as a major boost in the fight against attacks on critical electricity infrastructure.
ZESCO said the conviction serves as a strong reminder that vandalism of electricity infrastructure is a serious crime with far-reaching consequences for households, businesses, health facilities, schools, and national productivity.
ZESCO’s Senior Manager for Special Duties and Investigations, Ben Mwanamakwa, said the sentence sends a clear message that those who damage or steal electricity infrastructure will face the full force of the law.
“This conviction is significant because it demonstrates that vandalism is not a victimless crime. Every act of vandalism disrupts power supply, endangers lives, affects businesses, and diverts resources that should be used to improve service delivery. We welcome this judgment as deterrent to would-be offenders and as an important step in protecting national electricity infrastructure,” said Mr Mwanamakwa.
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Mr Mwanamakwa further commended law enforcement agencies, the prosecution team, and members of the public who continue to support efforts to safeguard ZESCO installations across the country.
ZESCO Limited has appealed to communities to report suspicious activities around transformers, power lines, substations, and other electricity installations. Community vigilance remains critical in preventing vandalism, reducing outages, and protecting assets that support Zambia’s economic and social development.
Ghana: Bui Power Authority Invests In Future Leaders With Scholarship Initiative For 111 Brilliant Students
The Bui Power Authority (BPA), Ghana’s state-owned second-largest power generation company, has launched a transformative education initiative targeting 111 academically brilliant but financially disadvantaged students across the country.
The programme, which forms a cornerstone of the Authority’s community development agenda, aims to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity for some of Ghana’s most promising young minds.
The initiative will provide selected beneficiaries with comprehensive educational support, including tuition fees, learning materials, and mentorship, ensuring that financial hardship does not stand in the way of academic excellence.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Charles Tuffour, Manager for Corporate Relationships at the Bui Power Authority, underscored the organisation’s deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of African leaders.
“At Bui Power Authority, we firmly believe that energy powers more than homes and industries — it powers dreams. These 111 students represent the brightest hopes of their communities, and it is our duty to ensure that brilliance is never extinguished by poverty,” Mr. Tuffour said.
He further emphasized the strategic intent behind the programme:
“This is not charity — this is an investment. An investment in the human capital that will drive Ghana’s development for decades to come. We are proud to stand behind these young people as they pursue their ambitions.”
The selection process was rigorous, drawing candidates from underserved communities within BPA’s operational catchment areas and beyond. Students were assessed based on academic performance, financial need, and demonstrated resilience — qualities the Authority says reflect the values it seeks to cultivate in future leaders.
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Community leaders and education stakeholders who attended the launch commended BPA for going beyond infrastructure development to address the social dimensions of national growth.
The Bui Power Authority, known primarily for operating Ghana’s second-largest hydroelectric facility on the Black Volta River, has increasingly expanded its corporate social responsibility footprint in recent years, with education, health, and environmental sustainability at the forefront of its community agenda.
As Ghana continues its pursuit of inclusive development, initiatives such as BPA’s scholarship programme serve as a powerful reminder that both the public and private sectors share a collective responsibility in shaping the nation’s future — one student at a time.
Nigeria: Dangote Refinery Targets $2 Billion Investments From Private Investors Ahead Of IPO
Africa’s largest petroleum refinery, the Dangote Refinery, is targeting about $2 billion in private investments ahead of its Initial Public Offering (IPO), scheduled for September this year.
“When we say we’re going to do a private placement, we already have people who have expressed interest in buying, and the amount requested is already close to $2 billion,” said Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, during a visit by Femi Otedola, Chairman of First HoldCo, to the refinery on Wednesday.
Otedola led top executives of First HoldCo on a tour of the refinery and fertilizer plants located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
The delegation also visited key project sites, including the jetty facility built by Dangote Industries to accommodate large vessels.
Dangote, however, noted that the refinery may not sell the full amount through the private placement, stating that “we’ll see what we can allocate to them.”
The private placement marks the latest development in the refinery’s IPO plans, which are expected to materialize later this year.
In 2025, Dangote disclosed that the refinery could sell up to a 10% stake in the public listing, which Bloomberg estimated could be valued at approximately $5 billion.
Although the exact date for the IPO has not yet been announced, the Dangote Refinery is expected to proceed with the public listing before the end of the year.
Dangote also revealed plans for a cross-border listing, which he said would enable Africans to play a greater role in financing the continent’s industrialisation.
Mozambique: Eni Expands Cookstove Production To Accelerate Access To Sustainable Clean Energy
Eni Natural Energies Mozambique — a subsidiary of the Italian oil and gas giant dedicated to energy transition activities — and the Instituto Superior Dom Bosco (ISDB) have held a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of an improved cookstove production unit to be installed at the Salesian Vocational Training Centre in Maputo Province to promote clean cooking.
The initiative forms part of the Clean Cooking Programme promoted by Eni in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Launched in 2023, the Clean Cooking Programme has already facilitated the distribution of more than 200,000 cookstoves across the provinces of Maputo, Sofala, and Manica, benefiting approximately one million people.
The initiative aims to expand access to clean energy, reduce the use of biomass, and improve health conditions for beneficiaries, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The project currently employs about 120 young Mozambicans across the entire value chain, from production to distribution.
With the new facility, daily production capacity is expected to increase from approximately 350 to 500 cookstoves, while also creating additional jobs.
The initiative will further strengthen the partnership with the Instituto Superior Dom Bosco by creating opportunities for technical training and internship programmes for local students.
Ghana: National Petroleum Authority Hosts Exclusive CEO Breakfast Meeting
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), on Monday hosted Chief Executives of the country’s downstream petroleum sector to an exclusive breakfast meeting in Accra.
The meeting aimed to deepen stakeholder engagement, improve the regulatory framework, and provide opportunities for networking to support strategic growth in the industry.
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, and the Deputy Minister for the sector, Mr. Richard Gyan-Mensah, participated in the meeting.
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The NPA Chief Executive, Mr. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo Esq., led the Authority’s team in discussions. Also present were Deputy CE Dr. Sheila Addo and members of the Executive Committee of the Authority.
In his remarks, Mr. Tameklo noted that recent geopolitical tensions and conflicts across parts of the world continue to affect global energy markets.
He, however, assured industry players that Ghana remains confident in its pricing policy framework and supply security arrangements.
“Government interventions over the past two windows (GHS2.00 per litre on Diesel and GHS36 per litre on Petrol) and the next two windows (GHS1.07 per litre on Diesel) were well thought through, with the risks to your businesses carefully considered,” he said.
Hon. Dr. Jinapor, for his part, affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted supply of petroleum products to support economic growth and stability.
The meeting concluded with agreement on key actions to be implemented to grow and sustain the downstream petroleum sector.
Malawi: Escom Imposes Emergency Load Shedding Due To Power Generation Shortfall
Malawi’s electricity supply company, Escom, has implemented emergency load shedding due to a shortfall in power generation following the unavailability of Nkula A Unit 2 and Kapichira Unit 4.
In a statement on Thursday, the utility reported that the two units tripped at 2:59 a.m. and 3:26 a.m., respectively, on 21st May 2026.
As a result, available generation capacity from the country’s major hydropower suppliers has been reduced from 348.15 MW to 306.75 MW.
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“Consequently, emergency load shedding affecting some customers is currently underway,” the company said.
Escom further informed customers that load shedding may, at times, be implemented outside the published schedule to maintain the stability of the national grid.
“We regret the inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding,” the statement concluded.
Ghana: Natural Gas Supply Shortfalls And Escalating Reliance On Expensive Liquid Fuels(Analysis)
Ghana’s power sector is increasingly relying on expensive liquid fuels due to persistent natural gas supply shortfalls, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability.
Below is an analysis by the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE) on the procurement of HFO, DFO, and LCO for power generation from 2021 to 2025.
Introduction
Ghana’s energy sector, particularly its power sector, has undergone significant development and structural changes over recent decades. The sector is characterized by a combination of traditional hydroelectric power and thermal (fossil fuel-based) generation, with increasing attention to renewable energy integration to meet growing demand and sustainability goals.
Thermal generation continues to dominate the power sector, with about 3,445 MW of dependable capacity, representing 70% of total dependable capacity as of 2025. Approximately 80% of this 3,445 MW of dependable capacity is dual-fueled, with natural gas as the primary fuel and liquid fuels—including Gasoil, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), and Light Crude Oil (LCO)—as the secondary fuel.
Liquid fuels provide strategic backup for generation when gas supply falls short due to planned or unplanned maintenance of gas facilities. However, liquid fuels are comparatively more expensive than natural gas, and higher consumption exposes the power sector to financial strain. In this regard, the Center for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE) assessed the utilization patterns of liquid fuels from 2021 to 2025 and estimated the costs of HFO and Gasoil during this period.
Methodology
Ghana primarily uses three types of liquid fuels: LCO, HFO, and Gasoil. The Center sourced data on HFO and Gasoil from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) for the period 2021–2025. The data from NPA were utilization figures based on liters and metric tonnes.
The estimated cost per metric tonne of HFO and Diesel Fuel Oil (DFO) was based on GRIDCO’s fuel supply projections for the West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAGP) pigging period from January to February 2025. Crude oil data were sourced from the Bank of Ghana for 2024–2025.
Thermal plants that used LCO during the period include AKSA Energy, Cenpower, and Asogli, as indicated by the Bank of Ghana.
Results
Heavy Fuel Oil consumption in the power sector peaked in 2025 at approximately 134 million liters (133,237 MT), following 90 million liters (89,325 MT) in 2021. No HFO was used in 2022. Between 2024 (12,736 MT) and 2025, there was an increase of 120,537 MT, representing a 947% surge in HFO utilization for power generation.
Based on GRIDCO’s fuel requirement projections during the WAGP offshore pigging and cost per metric tonne, the estimated cost of HFO in 2025 was US$605/MT. With total HFO consumption of 133,237 MT, the total cost for the power sector in 2025 was US$80,608,385.
| Heavy Fuel Oil | Quantity (MT) | Cost (US$) | Total Cost (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projected (GRIDCO) | 19,800 | 605.05 | 11,980,000 |
| Actual | 133,237 | 605.05 | 80,608,385 |
Source: CEMSE Construct from GRIDCO and NPA Data, 2025
The 575% increase in HFO costs in 2025 indicates that beyond the pigging period in Q1 2025, additional HFO was used to operate thermal plants throughout the remaining three quarters of the year.
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The years 2021 and 2022 recorded zero Gasoil use in the power sector. Gasoil usage began in 2023 at approximately 263 thousand liters (222 MT), surging to about 8 million liters (7,121 MT) in 2024—a 3,107% increase. Utilization peaked in 2025 at around 24 million liters (20,246 MT), representing a 184% increase from 2024.
GRIDCO projected a DFO requirement of 16,800 MT at a cost of US$26.88 million for the WAGP offshore pigging, implying a unit cost of US$1,600/MT. Actual DFO consumption of 20,246 MT in 2025 resulted in a total cost of US$32.39 million, reflecting a 21% increase over projections.
Table 2: Estimated Cost of Diesel Fuel Oil in 2025
| Diesel Fuel Oil | Quantity (MT) | Cost per MT (US$) | Total Cost (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projected | 16,800 | 1,600 | 26,880,000 |
| Actual | 22,246 | 1,600 | 32,393,600 |
Source: CEMSE Construct from GRIDCO and NPA Data, 2025
According to the Bank of Ghana’s quarterly bulletin (4Q25), US$36.57 million was spent on LCO imports for the power sector in 2024. In 2025, this increased by approximately 210% to US$116.8 million, exceeding GRIDCO’s projection of US$50.94 million. All LCO imported in 2024 and 2025 was allocated to Cenpower, Asogli, and AKSA power plants.
Conclusion
The analysis reveals a concerning trend in Ghana’s power sector, highlighting a growing reliance on expensive liquid fuels (HFO, DFO, LCO) between 2021 and 2025. Despite GRIDCO’s projections, actual consumption surged significantly.
- HFO costs increased by 575%, exceeding projections by US$68.6 million.
- DFO costs rose by 21%, exceeding projections by US$5.5 million.
- LCO costs exceeded projections by US$65.95 million, representing a 129% increase in utilization in 2025.
The total cost of HFO, DFO, and LCO for 2025 is estimated at US$229 million, implying an average monthly expenditure of US$19.16 million on liquid fuels. The increasing reliance on liquid fuels is largely due to shortfalls in natural gas supply. Addressing the gas supply deficit would reduce sector debts and improve fiscal sustainability, as liquid fuels are not fully captured in the tariff regime, forcing the government to rely on petroleum levies for procurement.
These findings underscore the urgent need for diversified power generation and stricter fuel procurement discipline to prevent further financial distress in Ghana’s power sector.