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Zimbabwe: ZESA Appoints Cletus Nyachowe As Group CEO
Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) (Private) Limited has appointed engineer Cletus Nyachowe as group chief executive officer, effective May 1, 2026, the company said.
The appointment follows the restructuring of the ZESA Group into a single, vertically integrated electricity utility operating as ZESA (Private) Limited, the company said in a statement on Sunday signed by Board Chairman Albert Joel Nduna.
Nyachowe is an electrical engineer and business executive with experience in the electricity and telecommunications sectors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Zimbabwe.
He is a registered professional engineer and a fellow of the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers, the company said.
Nyachowe joined ZESA in 1988 and has held several senior technical and executive positions within the organisation.
He previously served as managing director of Powertel Communications, where he led the establishment and development of what the company described as Zimbabwe’s first data-focused telecommunications service provider.
He later served as executive director for group operations at ZESA Holdings, overseeing executive leadership and operational coordination across the group’s businesses. He also served as executive director for international business at ZESA Holdings.
Nyachowe has also been responsible for Zimbabwe’s national electricity transmission infrastructure and has undertaken consultancy work across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region on renewable energy and regional electricity market development, the company said.
He has served as a non-executive director on the boards of institutions in the banking, insurance and asset management sectors, as well as universities and regulatory bodies.
Before his appointment as group CEO, Nyachowe served as ZESA’s acting group chief executive officer during a period of institutional transition and restructuring.
The company said its board, management and staff had expressed confidence in Nyachowe’s leadership as he takes responsibility for the strategic and operational transformation of the newly integrated utility.
Iran President Orders Probe Into Fuel Tanker Blast That Killed 11
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of a fuel tanker explosion that killed 11 people and injured seven others on the Sanandaj-Hamedan road in western Iran.
In a message posted on X on Sunday, Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the victims’ families and people in Kurdistan province, called for urgent medical treatment for those injured and ordered support for affected families and a thorough investigation into the incident.
First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref also spoke by phone with Kurdistan Governor Arash Zerehtan and called for an expert investigation and a report to the government on the findings, the treatment of the injured and support for the victims’ families.
Aref also ordered authorities to urgently address all aspects of the incident and follow up on insurance coverage for those killed or injured, including people who went to the scene to help.
The accident occurred on Saturday near the Sanandaj-Hamedan police station, when a fuel tanker caught fire, setting several vehicles ablaze.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
Ghana: Tema Oil Refinery MD Highlights Expansion Opportunities, Seeks Strategic Partners
The Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Ghana’s state-owned refinery, Edmond Kombat, has highlighted investment opportunities at the facility and urged local and international oil and gas investors to partner with the company.
Kombat said TOR was seeking strategic partners to expand its refining capacity from 45,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd) to 85,000 bpsd, with a longer-term plan to increase capacity to 200,000 bpsd.
Speaking on Ghana Day, the second day of Africa Oil Week in Accra, Kombat said the planned expansion would increase TOR’s refining capacity, enable the refinery to process more crude locally and boost the supply of locally refined petroleum products to Ghana and other West African markets.
The project forms part of TOR’s phased expansion plans, he said.
“We are going to expand the refinery. There are two phases. One is the brownfield. We are currently going to take it from 45,000 to 85,000 [barrels per day], and the timeline that we have is that we can do it in one and a half years,” Kombat said.
“We are not looking for a 50-year timeline where we will not be there and say that we didn’t have time. We have a short period of time to get that done,” he added.
The second phase, which Kombat described as a greenfield expansion, would increase capacity from 85,000 bpd to 200,000 bpd, he said.
“That will be the end stage for the land that we currently have,” he said.
Kombat also highlighted investment opportunities in storage and related infrastructure, saying TOR needed partners to provide capital, technology and access to markets.
He acknowledged growing interest in the refinery and said investors and potential strategic partners should examine the opportunities available at TOR.
Ghana currently consumes about 133,000 barrels of petroleum products per day, equivalent to about 21 million litres, Kombat said. Last year, the country imported about 6.2 million metric tons of petroleum products, of which about 1 million metric tons were destined for Burkina Faso and other West African countries, he said.
Kombat said Ghana’s political stability made it an important supply hub for countries in the region.
“Most West African nations depend on Ghana given the country’s political stability,” he said.
TOR had already held discussions with Burkina Faso and other countries, and they were ready to take significant volumes of petroleum products from Ghana, Kombat said.
He also said the government was committed to insulating TOR from future political interference, citing the refinery’s history of management challenges.
“It will be set up as a kind of separate entity in an SPV structure to make sure that the board is quite independent, management does not have any interference, because it’s a strategic national asset for the country,” Kombat said.
Kombat said President John Dramani Mahama had also directed officials to work towards a system under which Ghanaian crude would eventually be purchased in cedis, once the necessary legislation was passed.
“The President, after giving us the Ghanaian crude from the fields, has directed the Governor as well as the Minister of Finance and Minister of Energy that in the not-too-distant future, once an Act of Parliament is passed, we should buy all the crude in cedis,” he said.
“If we buy all the crude in cedis and we pay for it in cedis, all this discussion about forex, we will not have those kinds of issues again,” he added.
Iran Condemns US Attacks On Oil Tankers As Violation Of International Law
Iran condemned U.S. attacks on its commercial shipping fleet, saying they amounted to a clear violation of international law.
In a statement on Saturday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said overnight attacks on oil tankers anchored in Iranian waters were a continuation of what it called the U.S. “war of aggression” against Iran and its blockade of the country’s maritime trade.
The ministry said the attacks “constitute a clear violation of Paragraph 4 of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, constitute a war crime, and represent an overt threat to international peace and the security of commercial shipping.”
Iran said it was determined to defend its sovereignty and national interests against what it called U.S. “state terrorism” and aggressive actions, including an economic campaign that had manifested itself in the continued naval blockade and harassment of commercial vessels.
The ministry said the United States, along with its allies and partners, would be responsible for the consequences of what it described as Washington’s continued hostile and interventionist actions in the region.
The U.S. military said in a statement on Saturday that it had attacked an Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf and two others in the Gulf of Oman.
US Refutes Iranian Claim Of Attack On US Vessel In Strait Of Hormuz
Iran said on Sunday it had struck an unmanned U.S. vessel that tried to enter the Strait of Hormuz, but the U.S. military dismissed the claim as a “total lie,” according to the Associated Press.
The purported attack came a day after the U.S. military said its forces had struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to attacks by Iranian forces on U.S. Navy warships with ballistic missiles.
The war began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. But since a fragile ceasefire agreement was announced in June, sporadic fighting has persisted, with both sides seeking to inflict military and economic damage as negotiations have collapsed.
The United States and Iran resumed attacks last week after a month of relative calm, with the Strait of Hormuz and areas along Iran’s southern coast again coming under fire.
At least five people were killed earlier in the week during a U.S. bombardment that drew renewed attention to the area, where a school was hit in the opening strikes of the war.
The Trump administration appears to have adopted a two-pronged approach to the conflict, responding militarily to attacks around the strait while targeting foreign financial institutions that handle Iranian funds.
But Tehran’s hard-line new senior leaders have signaled a willingness to dig in after weathering decades of sanctions.
Iran has found ways over the years to circumvent sanctions and, despite a U.S. blockade of its ports, continue shipping its oil to buyers to ease mounting economic pressure. Much of that trade relies on a so-called shadow fleet of tankers that transport Iranian oil.
Tehran’s latest leverage centers on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil and natural gas shipments. The strait was regarded as an international waterway before the war began.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Sunday that an average of 9 million barrels of oil a day was moving through the strait, which he said should help ease pressure on energy prices.
His estimate appeared to exceed average flows over the previous 28 days through the strait, according to TankerTrackers.com and other sources.
Wright told CNN that, with oil also flowing through pipelines in the region, “we’re probably two-thirds or more of pre-conflict flows.”
Those flows, however, depend on the presence of the U.S. Navy to escort tankers and provide protection against possible Iranian attacks.
Wright said he expected other countries eventually to support the Navy’s efforts.
Nigeria: Parts Of Abuja Face 8-Hour Power Outage On Sunday – TCN
Nigeria’s capital Abuja will experience a temporary power outage in several areas on Sunday due to scheduled maintenance at the 132kV Apo Transmission Substation, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said.
The maintenance will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and affect electricity supply to Lugbe, Garki, Area 1, National Hospital, Guzape, Asokoro and surrounding areas, TCN said in a statement on Saturday.
The work involves stringing and latching Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) on the two 132kV Katampe-Apo transmission lines between towers T130 and T132, it said.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) will be unable to receive electricity for distribution to customers in the affected areas during the exercise, TCN said.
Power supply will be restored immediately after the maintenance is completed, the company said, apologising to affected residents and electricity consumers for the inconvenience.
Uganda Names Export Crude Blend Pearl Sweet As Oil Industry Moves Toward Production
Uganda has named its export crude blend “Pearl Sweet”, giving the country’s emerging oil industry a commercial identity as it prepares to enter international energy markets.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni unveiled the name on Wednesday at the Kingfisher Development Area in western Uganda.
The crude will be marketed as an identifiable grade, allowing refiners, traders and other industry participants to distinguish its origin and characteristics.
“Pearl” refers to Uganda’s long-standing description as the “Pearl of Africa”, while “Sweet” refers to the crude’s relatively low sulphur content, a characteristic that can make it attractive to refiners.
The blend is classified as medium light, with an API gravity of between 28 and 31 degrees, according to officials. Higher API gravity generally indicates a lighter crude that can yield a greater proportion of lighter petroleum products, although the commercial value of a crude also depends on factors including sulphur content and market conditions.
Speaking at the naming ceremony, Museveni said Uganda had sought to develop its oil industry in a way that would maximise domestic economic benefits.
“What you sow is what you reap,” Museveni said, referring to the government’s strategy to develop the country’s oil industry domestically.
He said refining crude oil locally would support the economy and help protect the environment, adding that Uganda had prohibited gas flaring.
“Oil is a finite resource, and its benefit must be for future generations,” Museveni said.
Uganda’s petroleum resources could significantly transform the economy if managed strategically and linked to industrial development, he said.
“The petroleum industry would push us very far,” Museveni said, referring to a planned refinery that is expected to produce fuel for vehicles, aviation fuel and other petroleum products.
“So, what is happening here is not a joke. It will have a lot of implications,” he added.
Museveni said Uganda’s oil resources should not be viewed solely as an export commodity but as an opportunity to develop industries and strengthen the country’s productive capacity.
Uganda has confirmed about 6.5 billion barrels of oil resources in the Lake Albert region, of which about 1.65 billion barrels are estimated to be recoverable, according to government figures.
Museveni said only about 40% of Lake Albert had been explored.
“The 6.5 billion barrels of oil that were confirmed only cover 40% of Lake Albert. We still have 60% to explore,” he said.
Museveni thanked oil-sector partners including TotalEnergies and CNOOC for their contribution to Uganda’s petroleum development. He praised CNOOC for the pace of its work and urged other partners to accelerate their activities.
“I want to thank CNOOC here because they have moved very fast. I want the others to also work very fast,” he said.
The president also reiterated that Uganda would not flare associated gas from the Kingfisher field. Instead, the gas will be used to generate electricity and produce liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking, he said.
“Here, we said no to flaring gas. We shall be using the gas to generate electricity, up to 80 megawatts at Kingfisher alone,” Museveni said.
“The other gas will be condensed and turned into liquefied petroleum gas for cooking,” he added.
Energy and Mineral Development Minister Monica Musenero Masanza said the naming of Pearl Sweet marked an important step as Uganda prepares to begin oil production.
“Uganda’s oil journey is anchored on efficiency, responsibility and ensuring that our resources create lasting value for Ugandans,” she said.
The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) Chairperson Lynda Biribonwa said Uganda’s oil resources should be used to develop skills, enterprises, infrastructure and technology, while supporting industrialisation and energy security.
Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) Chief Executive Proscovia Nabbanja said the new name would help establish the crude as a recognisable traded grade and support the company in building relationships with refiners and traders.
The Chinese ambassador to Uganda, Wu Guangrong, reaffirmed China’s commitment to bilateral cooperation with Uganda, including in oil and gas, trade, infrastructure and investment.
He said cooperation should extend beyond resource extraction to include capacity building, employment, local content and industrial development.
Crude from the Tilenga and Kingfisher projects will be combined at the Kabaale Shared Facilities in Hoima before being transported through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a 1,443-km heated export pipeline to Tanzania’s Tanga port.
The Lake Albert development is centred on the Tilenga and Kingfisher projects. Tilenga, operated by TotalEnergies EP Uganda, is designed to reach peak production of about 190,000 barrels per day.
Ghana: Petroleum Tanker Drivers Suspend Strike, Give Government One Month To Fix Roads
Ghana’s National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union has suspended a two-day sit-down strike and given the government one month to demonstrate progress towards repairing roads serving key petroleum depots across the country.
The drivers resumed loading on Friday following interventions by the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) and the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC).
The union had issued a two-week ultimatum to the government to address deteriorating road conditions before beginning the strike on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
The action disrupted tanker operations at key loading points, including the Tema industrial area, as drivers protested road conditions on routes used to transport petroleum products across Ghana.
In a statement on Thursday, the union specifically cited the road from the Valco Roundabout in Tema to Kpone Junction, as well as roads within the Takoradi and Buipe depot enclaves.
The union described the roads as critical economic corridors and said their deteriorating condition posed serious safety and health risks to drivers, workers and other road users.
The union said activities facilitated by the roads generate about 300 million Ghana cedis ($X million) in tax revenue for the government each week, underscoring the economic importance of the affected routes.
Despite suspending the strike, the drivers said their demands remained unchanged and called on the government to take immediate steps to accelerate the rehabilitation and completion of the affected roads.
The union has given the government one month to demonstrate what it called “visible and measurable progress”, warning that failure to do so could trigger a return to industrial action.
“Should Government fail to demonstrate visible and measurable progress within the one-month period, the Unions will be compelled to resume industrial action, including a prolonged sit-down strike,” the statement said.
The suspension provides temporary relief for petroleum haulage operators and businesses dependent on fuel supplies, but puts pressure on the government to address the road conditions before the deadline expires.
Africa Needs More Than $200 bln Annually In Energy Investment By 2030, IPPG Chairman
Africa needs more than $200 billion in annual energy investment by 2030 to develop its oil and gas resources, expand electricity generation and distribution and grow clean energy, the chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), Adegbite Falade, said.
Speaking at the recently concluded Africa Oil Week (AOW) 2026 in Accra, Ghana, Falade said Africa currently attracts just over half of the investment it requires.
“Africa, which accounts for about one-fifth of the world’s population, attracts only about three per cent of global energy investment,” he said.
“If Africa is to secure its energy future in an era of international capital retreat, we must look inward and build our own institutional and financial resilience,” Falade said.
He identified the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) as critical to closing the financing gap, saying its establishment by the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) and Afreximbank was an important step towards financing Africa’s energy future.
“The AEB is purpose-built to bridge the upstream and midstream financing gap left by traditional global financiers,” Falade said.
“This is Africa’s clearest statement yet that we intend to finance our own hydrocarbon future, rather than wait indefinitely for others to do so,” he added.
Falade urged African producers to develop bankable projects and actively originate high-impact investments that can attract financing.
“It is imperative African producers actively originate high-impact, bankable projects,” he said.
He also called for increased investment in gas infrastructure.
“Today, natural gas already generates around 40 per cent of this continent’s electricity,” Falade said, noting that Africa has less than 50,000 km of oil and gas trunk pipelines, compared with more than 200,000 km in Europe.
“Reserves without pipelines are simply stranded molecules benefiting no one,” he said.
Meanwhile, former APPO Secretary-General Omar Farouk said the AEB is expected to commence operations in October 2026.
“All hurdles have been overcome and I can confidently say that the bank has come close to starting operations,” Farouk said.
Ghana Gas Plans 278-km Tema-Takoradi Pipeline, Seeks Investors
Ghana National Gas Company Limited (Ghana Gas) plans to construct a 278-km, 20-inch-diameter bi-directional gas pipeline linking Tema and Takoradi to strengthen the country’s gas supply security.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Kofi Lartey disclosed the plan at Africa Oil Week 2026 in Accra, describing the project as a major investment opportunity.
The pipeline would allow gas to flow in both directions, from the western to the eastern corridor and vice versa, giving Ghana greater flexibility in meeting demand across the country, Lartey said.
“It is one of the major infrastructure projects we are looking forward to constructing to guarantee security of gas supply,” he said.
Ghana Gas also plans to install a backup compressor to complement its existing main compressor at the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant.
The company currently loses about 60 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of gas when the main compressor trips or is taken offline for maintenance, Lartey said.
The company also plans to commercialise gas currently being flared, which would generate additional revenue and help reduce Ghana’s carbon emissions, he said.
On downstream logistics, Ghana Gas is seeking investors to automate its gas loading gantry, increase the number of loading arms and expand storage capacity.
The investment would help ensure uninterrupted operations in the event of strikes by transport companies, Lartey said.
“We are also going to add to the storage capability so that in the event that the companies go on strike we would not be threatened to shut down the facility,” he said.
Financing
Ghana Gas is seeking investors under Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing (EPC+F) arrangements, with possible models including Build, Co-own, Cooperate and Transfer (BCCOT) and Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT), Lartey said.
While government policy may not permit outright private ownership of strategic gas infrastructure, investors could co-own projects with Ghana Gas and transfer their interests to the company after an agreed period, he said.
Local expertise
Lartey said Ghana Gas has been fully operated by Ghanaian engineers and technicians since 2014, after Sinopec handed over operations following two years and three months of post-commissioning operations.
“We operate this facility purely as Ghanaian engineers and technicians, from top to bottom. So we have so much expertise,” he said.
Ghana: PETROSOL Engages Dealers To Drive Service Excellence And Business Growth
PETROSOL Platinum Energy PLC, a leading oil marketing company, has held a national engagement with its dealers and business partners in Kumasi as part of efforts to strengthen partnerships, improve station-level performance and enhance customer experience across its retail network.
The engagement provided an opportunity for the company’s senior leadership team and dealers to review business performance, operational activities and developments across PETROSOL service stations, while discussing the company’s strategic direction and growth priorities.
It also allowed dealers to provide direct feedback on areas that are working well, challenges requiring attention and new initiatives that could improve the performance of individual service stations and strengthen the PETROSOL brand.
Speaking at the engagement, Chief Executive Officer of PETROSOL Platinum Energy PLC, Michael Bozumbil, expressed appreciation to dealers for their continued commitment and contribution to the growth of the business.
He described the dealers as important partners in PETROSOL’s growth and assured them that management valued their support.
“Our dealers are an integral part of the PETROSOL family. Your commitment and partnership have contributed significantly to our growth, and we deeply appreciate the confidence you continue to take in the business,” he said.
Bozumbil said PETROSOL would continue to take measures to protect dealers’ investments and strengthen the sustainability of their businesses, particularly amid fluctuations in fuel prices.
He said the company was planning major maintenance works and the replacement of fuel dispensing pumps at stations where necessary to improve operational efficiency, reduce service delays and enhance the quality and speed of service delivery.
Bozumbil also urged dealers to maintain high standards of operational compliance, saying every interaction with a customer contributes to the reputation and perception of the PETROSOL brand.
He encouraged dealers to adhere to the company’s operational standards and ensure customers consistently receive safe, efficient and professional service.
Delivering value beyond fuel
The Head of Marketing at PETROSOL Platinum Energy PLC, Philip Boamah Assampong, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering value beyond fuel sales.
He said PETROSOL was exploring initiatives to improve customer engagement and loyalty, including value-added services and incentive packages for loyal customers.
“The future of the retail business requires brands to go beyond simply selling fuel and create meaningful experiences and additional value for customers,” he said.
“Our ambition is to ensure that every PETROSOL station becomes more than just a place to buy fuel. We want to create an experience that gives customers a reason to choose PETROSOL, return to PETROSOL and recommend PETROSOL.”
Assampong said the company would continue to strengthen engagement with dealers, customers and other stakeholders to ensure feedback from the field was translated into practical solutions.
Turning feedback into solutions
PETROSOL said the dealers’ engagement formed part of its broader 360-degree stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at maintaining continuous communication among management, dealers, employees and customers.
The company said feedback from the engagements would be used to identify operational gaps, develop solutions and improve service delivery across its network.
The initiative is expected to support PETROSOL’s efforts to strengthen its market position while ensuring customers across Ghana receive consistent service quality at its stations.
As PETROSOL continues its growth and transformation, management reiterated its commitment to working closely with dealers and business partners to strengthen its retail network, protect investments, improve operational efficiency and deliver greater value to customers.
He said the company was planning major maintenance works and the replacement of fuel dispensing pumps at stations where necessary to improve operational efficiency, reduce service delays and enhance the quality and speed of service delivery.
Bozumbil also urged dealers to maintain high standards of operational compliance, saying every interaction with a customer contributes to the reputation and perception of the PETROSOL brand.
He encouraged dealers to adhere to the company’s operational standards and ensure customers consistently receive safe, efficient and professional service.
Delivering value beyond fuel
The Head of Marketing at PETROSOL Platinum Energy PLC, Philip Boamah Assampong, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering value beyond fuel sales.
He said PETROSOL was exploring initiatives to improve customer engagement and loyalty, including value-added services and incentive packages for loyal customers.
“The future of the retail business requires brands to go beyond simply selling fuel and create meaningful experiences and additional value for customers,” he said.
“Our ambition is to ensure that every PETROSOL station becomes more than just a place to buy fuel. We want to create an experience that gives customers a reason to choose PETROSOL, return to PETROSOL and recommend PETROSOL.”
Assampong said the company would continue to strengthen engagement with dealers, customers and other stakeholders to ensure feedback from the field was translated into practical solutions.
Turning feedback into solutions
PETROSOL said the dealers’ engagement formed part of its broader 360-degree stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at maintaining continuous communication among management, dealers, employees and customers.
The company said feedback from the engagements would be used to identify operational gaps, develop solutions and improve service delivery across its network.
The initiative is expected to support PETROSOL’s efforts to strengthen its market position while ensuring customers across Ghana receive consistent service quality at its stations.
As PETROSOL continues its growth and transformation, management reiterated its commitment to working closely with dealers and business partners to strengthen its retail network, protect investments, improve operational efficiency and deliver greater value to customers. Ghana’s $60 Bln Petroleum Hub Not Dependent Solely On Local Crude, PHDC CEO Says
Ghana’s planned $60 billion petroleum hub does not need to be established in an area with readily available feedstock, the chief executive of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr. Toni Aubynn, said.
Aubynn was responding to concerns over the availability of feedstock, a key requirement for the development of the petroleum hub.
Speaking on the second day of Africa Oil Week 2026 in Accra, Aubynn said while feedstock was critical to the project, it should not be the determining factor in establishing a petroleum hub.
“You don’t need to have feedstock before you establish a petroleum hub. Otherwise Singapore would never have done it. Singapore doesn’t have a drop of oil, but it has a hub. When you go to Rotterdam, Rotterdam doesn’t have a drop of crude petroleum,” he said.
Aubynn said establishing a petroleum hub was ultimately an economic decision that required investors to assess a range of factors, including infrastructure, market access and other conditions necessary for business.
“You balance your factors of production and realise the red carpet and all the opportunities that are in Ghana. Then you come. And you’ll be supported fully by the hub which has been established to do exactly that,” he said.
Aubynn said the PHDC was engaging the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) on potential future crude oil supplies for the proposed petroleum hub in Jomoro, in Ghana’s Western Region.
“We are engaging GNPC for supply. As you know, GNPC is the national oil company; they have the mandate to supply crude, so we are engaging them,” he said.
Aubynn said the hub could also source crude from other oil-producing countries if the economics were viable.
“You can source from Nigeria, from Angola, from anywhere. The key thing is that economics must work and Ghana provides that environment,” he said.
About the Petroleum Hub Project
The Petroleum Hub Project will be located in Jomoro, in Ghana’s Western Region. The hub will comprise three refineries with a total capacity of 900,000 barrels per stream day (BPSD) and five petrochemical plants with a minimum capacity of 90,000 BPSD. Storage tanks with a cumulative capacity of 10 million cubic meters and at least two jetties to support import and export activities.
The project is poised to position Ghana as a leading petroleum and petrochemical hub in Africa, enhancing regional energy security and economic integration.
Norway Seizes Russian Cruise Ship To Enforce Naftogaz’s $4.22 Billion Claim
Norway has seized a Russian commercial cruise ship off the Svalbard archipelago at the request of Ukrainian oil and gas firm Naftogaz, which is seeking enforcement of a $4.22 billion award over Russia’s asset expropriation when it annexed Crimea.
“At the request of Naftogaz Group, Norwegian authorities have seized the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov at the port of Barentsburg in Svalbard as part of global efforts to enforce the arbitral award obtained by Naftogaz and other Group companies against the Russian Federation in connection with the unlawful expropriation of their assets in Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014,” the Ukrainian company said in a statement.
In 2023, a tribunal in The Hague ordered Russia to pay Naftogaz more than $5 billion for Russia’s treaty violations and the seizure of Naftogaz assets following the Russian annexation of Crimea back in 2014.
Naftogaz and its international legal counsel Covington & Burling LLP have been tracking the Professor Molchanov vessel for months and the arbitral award has been recognized as enforceable in Norway.
The ship was finally seized off Svalbard after the seizure was ordered by the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court in Norway on 31 August, 2026. The seizure was ordered to “secure enforcement of the Russian Federation’s outstanding obligations under the arbitral award, amounting to approximately $4.22 billion plus interest and costs,” Naftogaz said.
“We will continue to pursue Russian assets around the world until the compensation awarded to Naftogaz and other Naftogaz Group companies is paid,” Naftogaz’s acting CEO Sergii Fedorenko said.
The Professor Molchanov vessel is owned by the Russian Federation and is used for commercial expedition cruises, including to Svalbard.
Under the court order of the Norwegian district court, the vessel may not leave its current location. The Governor of Svalbard is required to take the necessary measures to prevent the vessel from being moved
Togo Pilots Electronic Tracking For Petroleum Transit Cargo
Togo has launched a pilot programme to electronically track vehicles carrying petroleum products in transit to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, expanding its system for monitoring goods moving through the country.
The pilot, spearheaded by the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR), is aimed at strengthening oversight and improving the traceability of transit cargo, according to Togo First.
The measure is part of the Electronic System for the Monitoring and Security of Goods in Transit (SESS), which has been operational since October 2022.
For the pilot, the OTR acquired tracking devices specifically designed for vehicles transporting petroleum products. The devices are attached to trucks after key shipment and journey details have been recorded, including the planned route, type of cargo, vehicle specifications and driver information.
“A tracking device is then attached to the vehicle. The process is validated after checking that the truck is connected to the system and that the data is being transmitted properly,” said Abdou-Waliyou Kambara, an information systems engineer responsible for SESS.
Once a truck is on the road, its route is monitored from the OTR’s command centre, which operates around the clock. Officers can detect deviations from the planned route and other unusual activity.
The system is intended to improve cargo security and maintain traceability throughout the journey, which is particularly important for petroleum products because of their sensitive nature and tax value.
The pilot phase will test the system under real-world conditions, with industry stakeholders expected to participate in an assessment before any broader rollout