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Nigeria: Dangote Refinery Increases Production To 700,000 BPD
Nigeria-based Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, Africa’s largest petroleum refinery, says it has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), surpassing its nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd.
The milestone was reportedly achieved during a performance test conducted by the firm’s process licensors, underscoring the refinery’s operational efficiency.
“The achievement demonstrates the refinery’s ability to process additional feedstock while optimizing performance across its production units,” the company said.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice-President for Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, explained that the ramp-up is part of a broader, ambitious strategy to more than double capacity to 1.4 million bpd within 30 months, positioning the facility as potentially the largest refinery globally.
According to him, the expansion is expected to boost Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency, eliminate the country’s dependence on imported refined products, and strengthen its position as a regional export hub.
He added that the refinery’s growth trajectory reflects a deliberate move toward continental and global refining dominance, not just domestic supply sufficiency.
On February 4, David Bird, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Refinery, said the facility has a nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd and will soon ramp up production to 700,000 bpd.
Bird said the refinery has more than enough fuel production capacity to meet demand, adding that the organisation will now focus more on output rather than crude rate.
On October 26, 2025, Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, said the refinery was expanding its production capacity from 650,000 bpd to 1.4 million bpd within three years.
The move is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits, including job creation, increased industrial activity, and improved trade balances.
The refinery commenced fuel production in 2024 and has steadily increased output of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and other refined petroleum products.
The facility has rapidly established itself as a major supplier to both domestic and international markets, exporting refined petroleum products to several African countries and key European destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, among others. It has also supplied gasoline to the American market and jet fuel to Saudi Arabia.
Dangote Refinery has strengthened its role as a stabiliser in the oil and gas industry amid ongoing disruptions caused by Middle East tensions, as many African countries increasingly turn to the refinery for energy security.
In a further demonstration of its growing global significance, Dangote Petroleum Refinery became the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, according to S&P Global Commodities.
The refinery has played a pivotal role in stabilising fuel supplies in Nigeria, helping to eliminate dependence on imported petroleum products and easing pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Its expansion also aligns with broader national objectives to enhance local refining capacity and maximise value from Nigeria’s abundant crude oil resources.
Growing production volumes have also attracted increased interest from global crude suppliers and commodity trading firms, with the refinery sourcing feedstock from both domestic and international producers to sustain its rising output.
Gambia Cuts Diesel Price After D150 Million Fuel Subsidy
The Government of The Gambia has announced a reduction in the pump price of diesel, lowering the cost by D5 per litre after injecting more than D150 million (approximately $2,071,428.00)
in subsidies to shield consumers from rising global fuel prices.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines said the retail price of gasoil (diesel) has been reduced from D120 to D115 per litre.
However, the price of petrol remains unchanged at D112 per litre.
The ministry said the move forms part of government’s efforts to cushion households, transport operators, businesses and other sectors heavily dependent on fuel consumption from the impact of volatile international petroleum markets.
Authorities disclosed that the government has committed over D150 million in subsidy support to absorb part of the increased costs associated with global fuel prices and supply chain pressures.
“The reduction in gasoil prices reflects the Government’s commitment to easing the financial burden on households, transport operators, businesses and other productive sectors of the economy,” the ministry stated.
Ghana: Petrol Tanker Fire Kills One, Injures Another In Ashanti Region
The announcement comes at a time when global fuel markets continue to face uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions and fluctuations in international oil prices.
According to the ministry, the subsidy intervention is intended to maintain affordability while protecting the welfare of Gambians from external economic shocks.
The government further assured the public that fuel pricing reviews are conducted through a transparent and evidence-based process that takes into account both international market conditions and national economic priorities.
The ministry said it remains committed to working with stakeholders to ensure a stable, reliable and sustainable petroleum sector.
The diesel price reduction is expected to be welcomed by commercial drivers, businesses, and consumers who have faced mounting economic pressures amid rising living costs and recurring energy challenges.
Ghana: Petrol Tanker Fire Kills One, Injures Another In Ashanti Region
A petrol tanker fire incident at Adubinso in the Afigya Kwabre South District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana has claimed one life and left another person seriously injured, according to a report by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
The tanker is reported to have been involved in an accident that triggered the fire.
The injured victim is currently receiving treatment at the Tafo Government Hospital in Kumasi, where medical personnel have described the person’s condition as serious.
Although the report did not specify when the incident occurred, it indicated that the blaze destroyed property in the area, including a house and a printing press.
“At least nine small container-based businesses were also gutted by the fire,” the report said.
Eyewitnesses said a driver’s mate involved in the incident managed to rescue a nursing mother and her two children before the fire spread further.
Emergency services are yet to provide full details on the cause of the crash and the extent of the damage.
Authorities are expected to launch investigations into the incident.
Kuwait Says Oil Output Won’t Recover For 10-12 Weeks After Hormuz Reopens
Kuwait Petroleum Company expects it will take considerably longer to restore oil production than many traders appear to assume if the Strait of Hormuz reopens in the coming days.
Speaking at the S&P Global Energy Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference, the company’s managing director for international marketing, Shaikh Khaled Ahmad Al-Sabah, said Kuwait would need six to eight weeks to recover roughly 70% of normal production levels after Hormuz reopens, with the remaining 30% requiring about another month.
Refining operations are expected to recover more quickly, returning to normal within two to three weeks, but the production timeline suggests that a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran would not immediately translate into a full restoration of Gulf oil supplies.
The comments come as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to express confidence that a ceasefire extension and broader agreement with Tehran could be reached within days.
Trump said this week that negotiations remain active and that an arrangement to reopen Hormuz could emerge “over the next week,” despite continued military exchanges between the United States and Iran and conflicting signals from Iranian officials.
For oil markets, Kuwait’s estimate provides one of the first concrete indications of what post-Hormuz recovery may actually look like. Much of the market discussion has focused on whether the waterway will reopen, but far less attention has been paid to how quickly producers can restore output after months of disruption.
Restarting production involves stabilizing wells, gathering systems, storage facilities, export terminals and logistics networks after prolonged outages.
The CEO of shipping giant Maersk,Vincent Clerc, recently said reopening Hormuz would have only a limited immediate impact on cargo flows because supply chains and vessel networks have already been fundamentally altered by months of conflict.
Freight markets, insurance costs and routing patterns are unlikely to normalize overnight even if a political agreement is reached.
The recovery timeline outlined by Kuwait came just hours before Iranian drones and missiles struck Kuwait International Airport, killing at least one person and damaging Terminal One. The attack forced a temporary suspension of air traffic.
Nigeria: Work Resumes At NUPRC After Unions Suspend Strike
Workers of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have resumed full operations following the suspension of their strike action on June 1.
The development follows successful negotiations between the top management of the NUPRC and the commission’s two in-house unions — the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
In a statement, the Head of Media and Corporate Communications at NUPRC, Eniola Akinkuotu, said the 12-hour industrial action affected only administrative activities, while regulatory operations at oil and gas facilities remained unaffected.
Ghana Offers Strong Upstream Opportunities For Investors — GNPC CEO.The commission also urged members of the public to disregard reports alleging disruptions to crude oil production, as well as publications claiming that the dispute centred on foreign training opportunities.
NUPRC further assured its workforce of its commitment to improving the operating environment and prioritising staff development in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).Ghana Offers Strong Upstream Opportunities For Investors — GNPC CEO.
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Ghana offers investment opportunities in the Accra-Keta, Saltpond, and Tano basins, as well as emerging prospects in the Voltaian Basin.
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The country continues to attract investors due to its stable operating environment, proven petroleum systems, and established infrastructure.
Gambia’s Power Crisis Beyond Government Control — Spokesperson
The Gambian government has insisted that the persistent electricity supply shortfalls being experienced in the country are largely driven by global and regional factors and are beyond the direct control of the administration of President Adama Barrow.
According to Government Spokesperson Ebrima G. Sankareh, who also serves as Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs, neither the President nor the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) has deliberately contributed to the current power crisis.
“NAWEC has no policy to deliberately frustrate Gambians. This is a situation that neither President Barrow nor NAWEC has control over,” Sankareh said during an interview on West Coast Radio on Tuesday.
Sankareh described the challenges facing the electricity sector as part of a broader global strain affecting governments worldwide.
He pointed to rising energy costs and supply disruptions as key factors complicating the situation.
“This is way beyond the Gambian government,” he said.
“The parameters are so global; navigating this situation is actually what every government is doing now.”
He added that the pressures were not unique to The Gambia, noting that even developed countries are grappling with similar challenges.
“There is not a single government on the face of the Earth that is not affected by these global realities,” he said, citing sharp increases in jet fuel prices in Europe.
Sankareh also emphasized that The Gambia’s electricity system is integrated into a regional network through the Organisation for the Development of the Gambia River Basin (OMVG), a partnership involving The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal.
He described the arrangement as one of mutual dependence rather than reliance.
“We are not dependent; we are interdependent,” he said.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Sankareh expressed optimism that the country would achieve a more reliable electricity supply in the future.
“I would hope and aspire to a day when you and I will wake up every day without any sporadic electricity problems. That is the hope of the President; it is the hope of every genuine Gambian,” he said.
US States Sue Trump Administration Over Deal To Scrap Offshore Wind Project
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Seven states sued Interior Department and TotalEnergies over canceling major offshore wind lease
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Complaint alleges the Trump administration misused a government fund marked for legal settlements
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Interior Department says agreement was voluntary and appropriate
Zambia: REA Hands Over 85 Electrification Projects Worth K463 Million To ZESCO
Zambia, through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), has officially handed over eighty-five (85) completed grid extension projects valued at more than K463 million(approximately $25,881,700) to ZESCO Limited, the country’s power utility company, for operation and maintenance.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Patrick Kangwa, represented by Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Administration Dr. Oliver Kalabo, said the projects demonstrate the government’s commitment to expanding electricity access and improving livelihoods across the country.
Dr. Kalabo said the investments are not merely about infrastructure but also about transforming lives by stimulating economic growth, improving healthcare and education services, and supporting productive activities in rural communities.
REA Board Chairperson Eng. Charles Mboma said the projects are expected to facilitate approximately 15,232 initial electricity connections.
He noted that the completed infrastructure will now form part of ZESCO’s asset base, ensuring sustainable management of the facilities while unlocking opportunities for economic growth, improved public services, and enhanced productivity.
Also speaking at the event, ZESCO Director of Projects and Planning Eng. Francis Namakanda, representing Managing Director Eng. Justin Loongo, said the handover demonstrates effective collaboration between government institutions in extending electricity services to rural and underserved communities.
Eng. Namakanda said ZESCO is committed to integrating the assets into the national network and providing safe, reliable, and sustainable electricity services. He also encouraged communities to safeguard the infrastructure against vandalism and illegal connections.Tanzania: Golden Value Students Receive Clean Energy Education At World Environment Week Exhibition
Pupils of Golden Value School in Dodoma, Tanzania, led by the school’s Manager, Ms. Nuru Nyundo, visited the Ministry of Energy’s exhibition pavilion and its affiliated institutions at the 2026 World Environment Week Exhibition currently underway at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre (JKCC) in Dodoma.
The visit aimed to provide the pupils with knowledge about the energy sector and its contribution to environmental conservation.
During their tour of the pavilion, the students had the opportunity to learn about clean cooking energy, renewable energy, and various technologies that help reduce environmental degradation.
Ghana: PETROSOL Announces Appointment Of Four Senior Leadership Team MembersSpeaking during the visit, Ms. Nyundo said that involving students in such exhibitions is an important way of building early awareness about the importance of environmental protection and the sustainable use of energy to safeguard health and the environment for the benefit of present and future generations.
For her part, Maria Yusuph, a Grade Six student, commended the educational information being provided at the Ministry of Energy’s pavilion, saying it had helped them understand the importance of clean cooking energy and how it can protect both public health and the environment.
She added that the knowledge gained would enable her to become an ambassador for the use of clean energy both at school and at home.
The students also visited exhibition booths of various institutions under the Ministry of Energy, where experts provided information on services and projects being implemented to expand access to clean and reliable energy across the country.
The 2026 World Environment Week Exhibition began on June 1 and is expected to conclude on June 5, 2026, in Dodoma. The event provides an opportunity for citizens, students, and stakeholders to learn, share experiences, and exchange ideas on environmental conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.Ghana: Tema Oil Refinery Records GHS 1.24 Billion Profit Before Tax In 2025 After A Decade Of Losses
Ghana’s premier oil refinery, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), recorded a historic profit before tax of GHS 1.24 billion in 2025, according to a statement issued by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), citing the refinery’s audited accounts.
The profit marks TOR’s first positive financial result in a decade and signals a significant milestone in the refinery’s recovery efforts.
The statement, however, did not disclose the refinery’s total revenue for 2025.
SIGA commended the Board, Management and Staff of TOR for the successful completion and submission of the refinery’s outstanding audited financial statements for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
“This achievement marks a major milestone in TOR’s governance, compliance and accountability journey, especially considering that TOR had not produced audited accounts for the period spanning 2019 to 2024,” SIGA stated.
The Authority also highlighted several key achievements recorded by the refinery in 2025, including strong revenue growth, representing TOR’s best financial performance since 2019; a foreign exchange gain of GHS 1.3 billion; growth in share of associate profit to GHS 155 million, reinforcing the value of TOR’s strategic investments; a reduction in trade and other payables from GHS 7.1 billion in 2024 to GHS 5 billion in 2025; a decline in total debt levels between 2024 and 2025; and the successful completion of Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) activities.
SIGA further noted that TOR refined approximately 600,000 barrels of crude oil during the year, demonstrating renewed operational capacity and technical resilience.
According to the Authority, these achievements are the result of deliberate strategic leadership, strengthened corporate governance practices, operational reforms, and the unwavering dedication of the Board, Management and staff of the refinery.
SIGA also acknowledged the critical role played by the Board in supporting management’s recovery agenda, particularly through debt restructuring initiatives, receivables recovery, cost-containment measures, and continued investments in critical refinery infrastructure, including the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and the Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracker (RFCC).
While challenges remain, particularly in relation to liquidity pressures, retained deficits and long-term balance sheet restructuring, SIGA said it is encouraged by the refinery’s recovery trajectory and the improving financial indicators reflected in its 2025 performance.
The Authority urged the Board and Management of TOR to sustain the current momentum, deepen operational efficiencies, strengthen corporate governance standards, and accelerate efforts toward achieving long-term profitability, competitiveness and national energy security.
SIGA reiterated its commitment to supporting all specified entities that demonstrate accountability, strategic transformation and measurable performance outcomes in alignment with Ghana’s national development priorities.
SIGA also acknowledged the critical role played by the Board in supporting management’s recovery agenda, particularly through debt restructuring initiatives, receivables recovery, cost-containment measures, and continued investments in critical refinery infrastructure, including the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and the Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracker (RFCC).
While challenges remain, particularly in relation to liquidity pressures, retained deficits and long-term balance sheet restructuring, SIGA said it is encouraged by the refinery’s recovery trajectory and the improving financial indicators reflected in its 2025 performance.
The Authority urged the Board and Management of TOR to sustain the current momentum, deepen operational efficiencies, strengthen corporate governance standards, and accelerate efforts toward achieving long-term profitability, competitiveness and national energy security.
SIGA reiterated its commitment to supporting all specified entities that demonstrate accountability, strategic transformation and measurable performance outcomes in alignment with Ghana’s national development priorities.
It will be recalled that this portal first reported in late December 2025 that TOR had resumed crude oil refining operations following extensive maintenance works.
Established in 1963, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is Ghana’s only oil refinery and plays a critical role in the country’s downstream petroleum sector.
Over the years, the refinery has faced several operational challenges, including intermittent shutdowns resulting from maintenance constraints, financing difficulties, and crude oil supply shortages.
Since assuming office, the new management team has pursued a revitalisation agenda aimed at restoring full operational capacity, improving efficiency, and repositioning TOR as a commercially viable refinery.
The resumption of crude imports and refining activities forms part of ongoing efforts to stabilise domestic fuel supplies and strengthen Ghana’s energy security.Nigeria: NUPRC Operations Grounded As Staff Embark On Indefinite Strike
Operations of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have been paralysed nationwide following an indefinite strike declared by staff on Monday over unresolved concerns.
The industrial action, according to multiple reports, follows a breakdown in negotiations between NUPRC management and workers over overseas training opportunities for staff.
Reports indicate that management has decided to prioritise local training programmes over foreign capacity-building initiatives, arguing that conducting specialised training within Nigeria would reduce costs while strengthening domestic institutional capacity.
However, the workers rejected the move, leading to the declaration of an indefinite strike and the disruption of operations across the commission’s offices nationwide.
According to a report by Premiumnewsng.com, which quoted a staff member of the commission, “We shut down the headquarters and the field offices of the commission across the country over a dispute concerning foreign training programmes.”
Confirming the development, the Head of Media and Strategic Communications at NUPRC, Eniola Akinkuotu, said the disruption was limited to some administrative functions and had not affected the nation’s oil and gas production activities.
“It is true that some administrative activities were affected today due to industrial action taken by the unions. However, this has not in any way impacted activities in oil and gas facilities or production in general,” Akinkuotu said.
He added that the commission’s leadership had already opened discussions with the unions to resolve the dispute and restore normal operations.
“The top management of the commission is meeting with the unions in order to put an end to the strike and ultimately restore normalcy,” he stated.
Industry observers warn that a prolonged shutdown of the regulator could disrupt critical approvals, inspections, and oversight functions in the upstream sector, potentially affecting oil production timelines and investor confidence.
The outcome of the ongoing negotiations is being closely watched, with expectations that a resolution may be reached soon to restore operations at the commission.
Ghana: Petroleum Commission, Liberia’s LPRA Sign MoU To Strengthen Petroleum Sector Cooperation
Ghana’s petroleum upstream regulator, the Petroleum Commission, and Liberia’s Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen regulatory cooperation, knowledge sharing, and stakeholder engagement between the two institutions.
The partnership is aimed at helping both countries maximise the benefits of their hydrocarbon resources while navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by the global energy transition.
The MoU was signed at the Petroleum Commission’s headquarters in Accra, Ghana.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Madam Emeafa Hardcastle, signed on behalf of the Commission, while Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, Chief Executive Officer of Liberia’s Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA), signed on behalf of the Authority.
Ghana: PETROSOL Announces Appointment Of Four Senior Leadership Team Members
PETROSOL Platinum Energy PLC, one of Ghana’s leading oil marketing companies, has announced the appointment of four professionals to its Senior Leadership Team following Board approval after the successful completion of their probation period.
The appointments form part of the company’s strategy to strengthen operational excellence, drive sustainable growth, enhance customer service, develop talent, improve governance, and sustain profitability.
The newly appointed leaders are:Philip Boamah Assampong – Head of Marketing (Retail), Michael Affum Oseikoh – Head of Finance & Planning, Isaac Debezor – Head of Risk & Internal Audit and Rita Afful – Human Resources Manager.
In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer of PETROSOL Platinum Energy PLC, Michael Bozumbil, said the strengthened leadership team reflects PETROSOL’s commitment to building a resilient, innovative, and customer-focused energy company capable of delivering sustainable growth and long-term value to stakeholders.
The Board expressed confidence that the appointments will support the achievement of the company’s strategic objectives and future growth.
Profiles
Philip Boamah Assampong – Head of Marketing (Retail)
Philip Boamah Assampong is a seasoned marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in the energy sector, having previously worked with Vivo Energy Ghana (Shell). He was named Best Shell Territory Manager in Africa in 2015.
He holds an MBA in Marketing and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Cape Coast. He has also earned certifications in Digital Marketing, Corporate Brand Communication, and Customer Service Excellence. In addition, he is a Certified Management Professional from the Canadian College for Leadership and Management.
Michael Affum Oseikoh – Head of Finance & Planning
Michael Affum Oseikoh is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in finance, auditing, taxation, and financial management across multinational organizations, including Air Liquide and KPMG.
He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), and the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana. He has also received advanced professional training in taxation and corporate governance from Deloitte, further enhancing his expertise in financial and regulatory management.
Isaac Debezor – Head of Risk & Internal Audit
Isaac Debezor is an experienced risk and audit professional with more than 12 years of expertise in governance, enterprise risk management, and operational excellence.
He is a Certified Risk-Based Internal Auditor and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors Ghana. His professional expertise is further reinforced by specialized training in the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF), ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditing, and Disciplinary Investigations.
Rita Afful – Human Resources Manager
Rita Afful is a certified human resources professional with experience in multinational organizations, including Tata Consulting, GIZ, and Majorel.
She holds the designation of Senior Professional in Human Resources – International (SPHRi), demonstrating her expertise in global human resource management and people development.