Ghana has received its first consignment of crude oil imported from Angola, marking a significant milestone for the country’s energy sector.
The shipment arrived at the Sentuo Oil Refinery in Tema between May 3 and May 5, 2025, transported by the Greek-operated Suezmax tanker Nicolaos.
The cargo consisted of approximately 500,000 barrels of Palanca crude oil, loaded in Angola on April 25, 2025. This marks the first time Ghana has imported crude oil from within the African continent to supply its domestic refinery.
About the Sentuo Oil Refinery
The Sentuo Oil Refinery is Ghana’s first private oil refinery and is located in the Tema Industrial Area. It was commissioned in January 2024 under the Ghanaian government’s One District, One Factory initiative. The refinery has a processing capacity of 120,000 barrels per day.
Operations at Sentuo were temporarily halted due to financial and political challenges but have now resumed following the arrival of the Angolan crude shipment. The refinery processes the crude into refined petroleum products such as petrol and diesel for local consumption.
Reducing Ghana’s Dependency on Imported Fuel
Until now, Ghana has relied heavily on importing refined petroleum products from Asia, spending billions of dollars annually on petrol, diesel, and other fuels. The Sentuo Refinery aims to reduce this dependency by processing crude oil locally, which is expected to lower fuel import costs and improve energy security.
Wider Implications for Africa
Africa as a whole spends billions annually importing refined petroleum products, mostly from Asia. Ghana’s move to import crude oil from within Africa for domestic refining is a positive development for regional energy cooperation and economic independence.
Experts see this move as a step toward strengthening Africa’s energy independence and reducing reliance on foreign refining capacity. It also highlights the growing importance of intra-continental trade in natural resources.
