Africa: The refining industry in 3 trends

Demand for petroleum products, particularly diesel and hydrocracking units, is set to remain high between 2024 and 2025, according to forecasts by market research firm Rystad Energy. Faced with this growth, refiners around the world are stepping up investment to increase refining capacity and respond to changes in the sector. In Africa, the outlook remains solid, driven by strategic investments aimed at ensuring energy security, supporting the energy transition and integrating cleaner technologies.

According to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), global energy demand is expected to reach 120.1 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2050, an increase of 24% on current levels. To meet this growth, several hydrocarbon-rich African countries are focusing on developing their refining infrastructures. Uganda has launched a $4 billion refinery project to develop its resources, while Egypt is moving ahead with a $700 million refinery project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Angola, meanwhile, plans to start producing 30,000 bpd at its Cabinda refinery in 2025, with the aim of increasing total capacity to over 400,000 bpd in the years ahead.

The move towards a more sustainable economy is also driving refiners to modernise their facilities. According to Rystad Energy, growing demand for petrochemical feedstocks is encouraging investment in products such as ammonia, which is essential for fertiliser production. Libya recently upgraded the country's first methanol plant, increasing production to 1,000 tonnes per day. In addition, the Libyan Fertilizer Company has increased the capacity of its refinery to 1,750 tonnes per day in December 2024. Tanzania signed a $1.2 billion agreement with ESSA Industries to develop a refinery and fertiliser plant producing one million tonnes of urea a year. Angola's national oil company, Sonangol, is investing $120 million in a refining and fertiliser plant at Soyo.

Faced with growing environmental demands, refiners are investing in advanced technological solutions to meet climate regulations. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) is currently rehabilitating the Kaduna refinery by integrating modern technologies to restore 60% of its capacity and comply with international oil standards. This initiative illustrates the commitment of African countries to modernising their infrastructure while limiting their carbon footprint.

The investments underway and the strategic policies put in place herald a promising future for refining in Africa. The combination of growing energy demand, the modernisation of infrastructures and the integration of more sustainable solutions means that local resources can be exploited to the full. With these initiatives, the continent is positioning itself as a key player in global refining, reconciling economic growth with adaptation to new energy trends.