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OPEC: Dangote’s 650,000bpd Facility to Account for More Than Half of Africa’s Additional Refining

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The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has said the much-awaited Dangote Refinery’s refining capacity would account for more than half of Africa’s expected total additional distillations in the medium term.

The international oil cartel which stated this in its latest World Oil Outlook (WOO), disclosed that the addition was estimated at 1.2 million barrels per day in the medium term, stressing that the refinery which has a capacity of 650, 000 barrels per day, would take the lion’s share.

Apart from the asset owned by Africa’s richest man, also expected to begin production in the near future are that 100 tb/d refinery to be built in Soyo, Angola, the 110 tb/d Hassi Messaoud refinery expansion in Algeria, the 160 tb/ d Midor refinery expansion in Egypt, the 10 tb/d Brahms modular refinery in Guinea and the 110 tb/d Pointe Noire II refinery in the Republic of Congo.

In addition, Ghana and Senegal are also expected to commission new units, most of which are modular, to address fast-growing demand in Africa.

“In Africa, medium-term distillation additions are estimated at around 1.2 mb/d. More than a half of this number is accounted for by Nigeria’s Dangote refinery (650 tb/d).

“According to recent reports, its commissioning is likely to be delayed from 2022 to 2023, partly due to financial issues. Furthermore, Nigeria is likely to see the addition of a number of small modular refineries with capacities of up to 20 tb/d over the medium-term, thus adding much needed capacity in the country,” OPEC stressed.

“Elsewhere, a new 100 tb/d refinery is likely to be built in Soyo, Angola in 2025. In North Africa, a modest expansion is expected in Algeria (Hassi Messaoud) and Egypt (Midor and Assiut).

“Finally, several sub-Saharan countries, including Ghana, Guinea, Senegal and the Republic of the Congo are expected to commission new units, most of which are modular. With these expansions, the region will look to address fast growing demand, but it could also potentially reduce product imports from other regions,” OPEC noted.

In addition to the Dangote refinery, rehabilitation is going on in Warri and Port Harcourt and work on the Kaduna refinery will start soon, with the report stating that if the refurbishments succeed, Africa could expect even higher outputs and utilization rates in the long term.

“These additions could lead to refinery throughputs increase from 1.8 mb/d in 2021 to 4.8 mb/d in 2045, based on strong demand growth and refining capacity additions in both the medium- and long-term,” it added.

OPEC acknowledged that the downstream market has tightened significantly over the last year, driven by strong oil demand growth, a decline in available refining capacity and geopolitical uncertainties.

During the medium-term (2022-2027) it noted that around 7.3 mb/d of the Middle East (1.6 mb/d) and Africa (1.2 mb/d).

“Refining capacity additions in other regions are minor and mostly limited to the expansion of existing refineries,” it added.

In the long-term, (2022-2045) OPEC stated that global refining additions are projected at 15.5 mb/d, with a significant slowdown in the rate of additions towards the end of the projection period.

“Almost 90 percent of additions are located in the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa,” he said.

The medium-term balance, it stressed, points to a tightening downstream market relative to 2021, with the estimated deficit of potential refining capacity relative to required refining capacity set to peak around 2.7 mb/d in 2023 and 2024.

“Due to the demand growth slowdown and continuous capacity additions, the deficit is set to decline to around 1.4 mb/d in 2027,” the report said.

The Dangote integrated refinery and petrochemical complex in the Lekki Free Zone, near Lagos, Nigeria, is expected to be the world’s biggest single-train facility, upon commissioning.

Estimated to cost about $20 billion, the refinery will produce Euro-V quality petroleum and diesel, as well as jet fuel and polypropylene and will likely generate 4,000 direct and 145,000 indirect jobs.

The new refinery will double Nigeria’s refining capacity and help in meeting the increasing demand for fuels, while providing cost and foreign exchange savings. It is estimated to have an annual refining capacity of 10.4 million tonnes of petroleum.

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Ethiopia defaults on $33 Million bond payment

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Ethiopia officially entered default territory on Tuesday, becoming Africa’s third nation to do so within a span of three years. The failure to make a $33 million « coupon » payment on its sole international government bond underscores the country’s severe financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and a recently concluded two-year civil war in November 2022.

Ethiopia had previously announced its intention to formally default earlier this month. The payment, originally due on December 11, had a technical grace period extending until Tuesday, thanks to a 14-day clause in the $1 billion bond agreement.

Sources familiar with the situation reported that, as of the close of business on Friday, December 22, the last international banking working day before the grace period ended, bondholders had not received the expected coupon payment. Despite requests for comments, Ethiopian government officials remained silent on Friday and throughout the weekend.

This anticipated default aligns Ethiopia with two other African nations, Zambia and Ghana, which are currently undergoing a comprehensive restructuring process under the « Common Framework. »

Ethiopia initially sought debt relief under the G20-led initiative in early 2021. The civil war delayed progress, but in November, facing depleted foreign exchange reserves and surging inflation, Ethiopia’s official sector government creditors, including China, agreed to a debt service suspension deal.

Parallel negotiations with pension funds and other private sector creditors, who hold Ethiopia’s bond, collapsed on December 8. Subsequently, credit ratings agency S&P Global downgraded the bond to « Default » on December 15, based on the assumption that the coupon payment would not be fulfilled. The default places Ethiopia in a challenging economic position, requiring strategic measures to address its financial instability and navigate the complexities of debt restructuring.

 

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TotalEnergies ready to invest $6 billion in Nigeria

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French energy giant TotalEnergies is ready to invest $6 billion (around €5.5 billion) over several years in Nigeria’s energy industry, particularly in gas and offshore projects, the Nigerian presidency has said.

« We are ready to invest $6 billion over the next few years. We are looking in depth at more opportunities for deepwater and gas production, » said TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné, according to a presidential statement.

On Monday, Head of State Bola Ahmed Tinubu held talks with Mr Pouyanné in Abuja, the capital.

« Everything is in place. We just need to finalise the adjustments and changes needed to unlock the exceptional potential in oil and gas », continued Mr Pouyanné, according to the Presidency.

Nigeria is « very important » for TotalEnergies, which accounts for between 8% and 10% of the group’s total oil production, according to the CEO quoted in the press release.

For his part, the Nigerian president pledged to « remove all obstacles in the oil and gas industry ». « We are ready to work with you », he said.

The oil and gas major indicated that it « has a substantial portfolio of projects that could represent 6 billion dollars of investment over the next few years ».

Ten days ago, the Nigerian president’s office announced similar commitments from British oil and gas giant Shell, for USD 6 billion in offshore, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.

Since his inauguration at the end of May, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a series of economic measures aimed at attracting more foreign investment to this oil-producing country and member of OPEC.

A law, the Petroleum Industry Bill, adopted in 2021 after years of debate and delays, was already aimed at attracting more foreign investment in the oil sector through changes to regulations, royalties and taxes.

Nigeria has seen its oil production decline in recent years due to widespread pipeline theft, attacks, high operating costs and red tape, which have deterred investors.

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Nigeria, Cameroon missing in top 10 best international airports in Africa

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Africa is emerging as a preferred global destination for travellers, driven by a thriving tourism and business sector. The continent’s aviation landscape is now a formidable force, fostering crucial connections between Africa and the global community.

Recently, Skytrax, a renowned international airline assessment organization, revealed its 2023 report on the Best Airports in Africa. South Africa dominated the regional ranking, with additional entries from Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda, and Mauritius.

1. Cape Town International Airport, South Africa

This is a premier international hub with modern infrastructure and a commitment to eco-friendly practices. The airport hosts 4.13 passengers per 10 square meters daily, catering to a discerning crowd.

2. King Shaka International Airport, South Africa

Located in Durban, it stands as a beacon of excellence among Africa’s best international airports. The terminal, covering 102,000 m2, can handle 7.5 million passengers annually.

3. Johannesburg International Airport, South Africa

Serving as the primary hub for domestic and international travel in South Africa. Since 2020, Africa’s fifth busiest airport with a capacity for 28 million passengers per year.

4. Casablanca International Airport, Morocco

Handled about 7.6 million passengers in 2022, ranking among the top 10 busiest airports in Africa. A hub for Royal Air Maroc, Royal Air Maroc Express, and Air Arabia Maroc.

5. Mauritius International Airport

A strategic gateway with direct flights to Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Renowned for its commitment to passenger satisfaction and prime location.

6. Marrakech International Airport, Morocco

An international facility connecting Europe, the Arab world, and soon North America. Terminals designed to handle 2,500,000 passengers annually.

7. Addis Ababa International Airport, Ethiopia

Formerly Haile Selassie I International Airport, it’s the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines. Links Ethiopia and Africa to Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.

8. Kigali International Airport, Rwanda

Serving Kigali and playing a vital role in connecting Congolese, Burundian, and Ugandan cities. The terminal accommodates 1.5 million passengers annually.

9. Nairobi International Airport, Kenya

A key connection point to East African destinations, quadrupling its capacity to host 26.5 million passengers yearly.

10. Bloemfontein International Airport, South Africa

Formerly Bloemfontein International Airport, now Bram Fischer International Airport. An economic hub hosting over 300,000 passengers and 17,000 air traffic movements annually.

Source: africanews

 

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