The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has reiterated its commitment to transforming Africa’s refining landscape by removing longstanding structural barriers and fostering a self-sufficient, resilient, and competitive refining ecosystem across the continent.
Speaking at the Global Community Insights Conference on the West Africa Refined Fuel Market held Tuesday at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Ojulari, delivered a keynote address titled “Building an African Refinery Hub”. In his remarks, Ojulari laid out a bold vision for an integrated African energy future, one that prioritizes local refining capacity and regional collaboration.
“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,” Ojulari declared.
He emphasized that the transformation of Africa’s refining capacity cannot be achieved in isolation. According to him, the pathway to a functional and independent refining network lies in a combination of infrastructure integration, indigenous ownership, and harmonized regulatory frameworks across African nations. These elements, he said, are crucial for establishing a dependable African reference market capable of ensuring energy security, reducing the continent’s overreliance on fuel imports, and powering broader industrial growth.
Ojulari detailed NNPC Ltd.’s strategy, which includes:
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A comprehensive review and repositioning of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries;
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Strategic equity participation in the Dangote Refinery;
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Exploitation of condensate refining opportunities;
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Partnerships and support for third-party refining initiatives.
These efforts, he noted, will not only strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional energy leader but also trigger a domino effect in refining development throughout West Africa.
He praised the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for its leadership in convening stakeholders to address the continent’s downstream energy challenges. Ojulari urged attendees—from policymakers to private sector players—to shift focus from lofty declarations to actionable strategies.
“It’s time to move from declarations to delivery; from national ambition to regional execution; from fragmented development to system-scale transformation,” he said.
In a rousing conclusion, the GCEO called for collective action to drive long-term change.
“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.”
The conference gathered energy leaders, regulators, and investors to explore opportunities and chart a collaborative course for refining development in West Africa. With NNPC Ltd. leading the charge, the vision of an energy-sufficient Africa may be closer to realization than ever before.
