Sentuo Oil Refinery Receives 1 Million Barrels of Jubilee Crude in Major Step Toward Ghana’s Energy Independence

Ghana has reached a significant milestone in its industrial and energy sectors with the delivery of approximately one million barrels of Jubilee crude oil to the Sentuo Oil Refinery in Tema for local processing. This shift from exporting raw crude oil to domestic refining marks a transformative moment in the country’s industrial agenda, aimed at enhancing energy security and retaining more value from natural resources. Executive Chairman of Sentuo Oil Refinery, Ningquan Xu, described the event as a historic milestone that positions Ghana to become a central petroleum processing hub for West Africa and the Sahel region. The refinery, which has already processed over five million tonnes of crude since its inception, is currently being positioned as a strategic national asset for economic self-sufficiency.

Government officials have praised the development as a solution to the long-standing, unsustainable practice of exporting crude oil only to import finished petroleum products at higher costs. Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor emphasized that local refining is essential for creating jobs and fostering industrial growth, especially during periods of global geopolitical tension. Similarly, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, hailed the refinery as a catalyst for the petroleum value chain. She noted that by substituting imports with locally refined fuel, Ghana can significantly reduce its dependence on foreign products, save vital foreign exchange, and stimulate the domestic economy through increased opportunities for local service providers.

The Sentuo Oil Refinery is currently looking to expand its processing capacity from 40,000 to 100,000 barrels per day to meet rising demand. This expansion is part of a broader national strategy that includes the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), which is also expected to begin processing one million barrels of local crude in the near future. Industry analysts and the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) have welcomed these developments, with COPEC Executive Secretary Duncan Amoah noting that consistent crude allocations to domestic refineries could eventually lead to lower and more stable fuel prices for Ghanaian consumers. This initiative is seen as a timely response to global supply chain disruptions that have historically caused volatility in the local market.

Looking ahead, the government plans to further cement this industrial transformation with the upcoming Phase Two of the Sentuo Refinery Expansion Project. The project, which is scheduled for a formal commencement ceremony on June 24, 2026, is expected to be a pivotal step in establishing Ghana’s energy independence. By fostering a business-friendly environment for such investments, the government aims to transition the national economy into a value-adding industrial powerhouse. As these local refineries scale up operations, the focus will remain on building a resilient national supply chain that benefits the local economy directly and reduces the country's vulnerability to international market shocks.