African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Speak at Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025, Downstream Projects in Focus
The Republic of Congo’s commitment to reducing imports and electrification of driving puts the country at the forefront of a strong African oil and gas industry. As Africa adopts a strategic approach to harmonizing fuel standards, coordinate regional regulations and expanding the inclusive downstream sector, Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary and CEO of the African Association of Refineries and Distributors (ARDA), will attend Inigur congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) this month in Inbrazzaville.
The first 25 MW turbines of the Djeno power plant are scheduled to begin operations in March 2024, and the Republic of Congo has a great location to modernize its downstream infrastructure and address the country’s energy insecurity. Powered by oil, traditionally operated by Aksa Enerji, has been transferred to gas, which is provided by Ocean XII and M’Boundi Fields at Energy Major Eni.
The newly-started Congo Energy and Investment Forum is scheduled to be held in Brazzoville from 24 to 26 March 2025, sponsored by President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Scottish people, as well as de Congo, will bring together international investors and local businesses to explore international national and regional energy and opportunities for InfrrraStrument and InfrrraStrument. The event will explore the latest gas project projects and provide the latest information on ongoing expansions nationwide.
Coraf, a subsidiary of Conciiété Nationale despétroles du Congo (SNPC), operates the only oil refinery in Congo. Located in Pointe-Noire, Coraf has an annual processing capacity of 1 million tons and refining crude oil into a variety of products including Butane Gas, gasoline, kerosene, light diesel and heavy-duty fuel. The refinery meets about 70% of the country’s demand for refined petroleum products. Most of the crude oil processed in Coraf is provided by the Djeno terminal south of Pointe-Noire, which handles 95% of the country’s oil production. The terminal is connected to the refinery through a 25 km pipeline.
To meet the growing domestic demand and reduce reliance on imports, the government has begun building a new refinery in Fouta, near Pointe-Noire. The new facility, called the Atlantic Petrochemical Refinery, is being developed in partnership with Chinese company Beijing Fortune Dingheng Investment, with an estimated investment of $600 million. The first phase of the project aims to produce a capacity of 2.5 million tons per year, focusing on high-quality gasoline and diesel, as well as household products such as liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene and fuel. Operations at the Atlantic Petrochemical Refinery are expected to begin by the end of 2025.
Highlighting the fundamental need to invest more heavily in downstream infrastructure, Kragha recently indicated that up to 60% of the African energy matrix will be fossil fuel driven by 2040. With a view to reducing petroleum imports and driving resource monetization throughout the continent, ARDA has noted that expanding the downstream sector will require coordinated regional regulations, market-based pricing and a focus on minimizing supply chain risk.
“Anibor Kragha participated in the inaugural CEIF event, a key opportunity to gain valuable insights to achieve modern efforts in the energy and infrastructure sector in modernizing the Congo. Sandra Jeque noted that Kragha brought a wealth of expertise and unique perspective on the importance of upgrading downstream facilities to ensure energy security and sustainable development and his contributions will help drive economic growth, enhance access to energy and advance regional cooperation,” said Sandra Jeque, director of Energy Capital and Electricity Projects.
Distribution by Apo Group on behalf of energy capital and power.
