The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, has reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling structural bottlenecks towards laying a solid foundation for a self-sufficient refining ecosystem in Africa.
Its Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this in a keynote address titled, “Building an African Refinery Hub”, at the Global Community Insights Conference on the West Africa Refined Fuel Market, which held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
According to him, through strategic review and repositioning of its refineries, strategic equity in the Dangote Refinery, condensate opportunities and support for other third-party projects, the NNPC Ltd could kickstart Africa’s transformation into a refining hub.
He added:“NNPC Ltd stands ready. Ready to co-create, co-invest, and co-lead in building an African refining ecosystem that is inclusive, resilient, and globally competitive.”
He noted that infrastructure integration, indigenous ownership, and policy harmonization remain essential drivers of downstream transformation and are critical to creating a credible African reference market that guarantees energy security, reduces import dependence, and powers Africa’s industrial aspirations.
He also lauded the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for organising the event and championing the conversation which will lead to Africa becoming energy sufficient.
He implored stakeholders in the refining sector to move from declarations to delivery, from national ambition to regional execution and from fragmented development to system-scale transformation.
He said:“Let us build, not just refineries, but a new backbone for Africa’s industrial age. Let us refine, not just crude, but the future of this continent. Let our actions reflect, not just today’s needs, but the enduring aspirations of generations yet unborn.”
