Burkina Faso buys a hydrocarbon depot in Ghana for $70 million

Burkina Faso has taken a decisive step towards securing its hydrocarbon supplies with the $70 million acquisition of the Tema multipurpose storage terminal in Ghana. Formalised in March 2025, the deal strengthens the Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures du Burkina Faso (SONABHY) by giving it increased capacity and unprecedented logistical autonomy for this landlocked country.

Located on the Atlantic coast, the Tema terminal enables Burkina Faso to bypass the constraints of a supply system that depends exclusively on land corridors. This port infrastructure facilitates the reception of hydrocarbons and optimises their routing to national depots. "It's a direct response to the logistical challenges that were holding back our energy management", said a SONABHY official, underlining the importance of this acquisition for the stability of the fuel supply.

The terminal also offers greater flexibility in commercial partnerships, broadening import options while reducing dependence on private infrastructure. Ultimately, this autonomy could generate significant savings on transport and storage costs, a key issue for a country where energy remains an essential lever for development.

This acquisition is part of a wider strategy to strengthen Burkina Faso's energy capacities. In January 2025, the country had already commissioned a new storage facility in the west of the country, with a capacity of 104,000 m³, at a cost of FCFA 32 billion. With Tema, the government is consolidating its infrastructure network, guaranteeing a better distribution of stocks and resilience in the face of potential disruptions to traditional supply routes.

According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), Burkina Faso could achieve growth of 4.3% by 2025, provided it has a reliable and diversified energy supply. The Tema terminal meets this imperative by supporting the country's industrial and agricultural ambitions, while mitigating the risks of shortages that have sometimes weighed on households and businesses.

By investing in strategic infrastructure such as Tema, Burkina Faso is not only addressing its logistical weaknesses, it is also laying the foundations for a more sovereign energy policy. This operation illustrates a desire to modernise and adapt to the realities of a landlocked country, while paving the way for more efficient and economical management of its energy resources.

As the need for fuel continues to grow, this acquisition marks a turning point for Burkina Faso, strengthening its ability to meet current challenges while preparing for a sustainable energy future.