West Africa’s Oil Refining Sector Surges as Dangote Exceeds Capacity and Ghana’s Sentuo and TOR Secure Key Milestones

West Africa’s energy landscape is witnessing a dramatic shift as major refineries in Nigeria and Ghana achieve significant operational and financial breakthroughs. Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery has recently surpassed its nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), hitting a processing rate of 700,000 bpd during performance tests. This milestone is a critical step in the refinery’s ambitious plan to expand its capacity to 1.4 million bpd within the next 30 months. Since it began production in 2024, the Dangote facility has reshaped fuel trade across the continent, significantly reducing Africa's dependency on imported petroleum products while exporting to markets in Europe and the Middle East.

In Ghana, the refining sector is equally vibrant, with the Sentuo Oil Refinery securing a major financial boost for its second-phase expansion. Ecobank Ghana PLC has been appointed as the Lead Arranger and Book Runner for a US$200 million medium-term loan facility aimed at transforming the refinery into an integrated petrochemical hub. Abena Osei-Poku, Managing Director of Ecobank, described the deal as a landmark for Ghana’s industrial development, noting that the financing will create new opportunities in the downstream petroleum industry and enhance national energy security. This expansion reflects growing investor confidence in Ghana’s ability to refine its own resources and generate long-term economic value.

Parallel to private sector growth, the state-owned Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has recorded a historic turnaround under new leadership. After a long hiatus from processing crude oil dating back to 2018, TOR has successfully resumed operations following finalized arrangements for domestic crude supply. The refinery reported an impressive pre-tax profit of GHS 1.24 billion for the 2025 financial year, a feat attributed to improved governance, strategic board direction, and the clearing of outdated accounts. Managing Director Edmond Kombat has received leadership recognition for this rapid recovery, which positions TOR as a viable player in the regional market once again.

These collective developments signal a new era of energy independence for West Africa. The combination of Dangote’s massive scale, Sentuo’s expansion into petrochemicals, and the revitalisation of TOR suggests a robust regional ecosystem capable of meeting domestic demand and competing globally. As these facilities continue to scale, they are expected to drive industrialization, create thousands of jobs, and provide a buffer against the volatility of international fuel prices, ultimately strengthening the economic resilience of both Nigeria and Ghana.