Nigeria stands as the African leader in oil refining infrastructure, with nine refineries, more than any other nation on the continent.
Africa’s role in the global energy market is significant, producing nearly 10 million barrels of oil daily as of 2024. Yet, the continent’s refining capacity has struggled to meet its fuel demands.
Five nations which include Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Angola, and Sudan boast the highest number of oil refineries. These countries have made substantial investments to meet domestic demand, create jobs, and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.
However, several other African nations operate only one refinery each, such as Zambia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additional contributors to the continent’s refining landscape include Chad, Gabon, Cameroon, Congo, and Kenya.
West Africa emerges as the sub-region with the largest refining capacity. However, only about 30% of this capacity is operational. The newly inaugurated Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), is expected to transform the region’s refining sector.
African countries with most refineries
1. Nigeria
Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, leads with the highest number of refineries, spanning both public and private sectors. However, public facilities often face operational challenges. Key refineries include:
i. Port Harcourt Refinery: Two facilities with a combined capacity of 210,000 bpd.
ii. Warri Refinery: Located in Delta State, with a capacity of 125,000 bpd.
iii. Kaduna Refinery: Situated in northern Nigeria, processing 110,000 bpd.
iv. Dangote Refinery: A private mega-project in Lagos with a capacity of 650,000 bpd, making it the largest single-train refinery globally.
Smaller private facilities such as Ogbede, Ibigwe, Edo, OPAC, and Duport serve niche markets and local demands.
2. South Africa
South Africa maintains a sophisticated oil refining industry, addressing both local and regional demand. Notable facilities include:
i. ENGEN Refinery: Located in Durban, processing 135,000 bpd.
ii. SAPREF: The largest in South Africa, also in Durban, with a capacity of 180,000 bpd.
iii. CALTEX Refinery: Situated in Cape Town, handling 100,000 bpd.
iv. NATREF: Based in Sasolburg, specialising in synthetic fuels with a capacity of 108,000 bpd.
Mossel Bay Refinery: Operated by PetroSA, utilising gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology.
3. Ghana
Ghana’s refining sector has grown due to domestic oil production and strategic investments. Its refineries include:
i. Tema Oil Refinery (TOR): The largest and oldest refinery, processing 45,000 bpd.
ii. Platon Gas Refinery: A private facility with a capacity of 15,000 bpd.
iii. Akwaaba Refinery: Specialising in niche petroleum products.
iv. Sentuo Refinery: A new addition, boosting the nation’s refining capacity.
4. Angola
Angola, one of Africa’s leading oil producers, continues to expand its refining capacity. Key facilities include:
i. Luanda Refinery: Upgraded to process 200,000 bpd.
ii. Cabinda Refinery: A modern facility under construction, expected to significantly enhance the country’s refining capabilities.
5. Sudan
Despite political instability, Sudan has maintained functional refineries, including:
i. Port Sudan Refinery: Located on the Red Sea, with a capacity of 25,000 bpd.
ii. Al Jaili Refinery: The largest in Sudan, processing around 100,000 bpd.
