Congo is preparing to launch its second oil refinery by year-end, aiming to curb refined product imports and enhance energy self-sufficiency.
After nearly four years of development, the Fouta refinery project is nearing completion. Situated about 30 kilometers from Pointe-Noire, the facility is set to begin operations by late 2025, with an annual output of 2.5 million tons of petroleum products, including diesel and gasoline.
Despite being Africa’s fifth-largest crude oil producer, Congo continues to rely heavily on imports for refined petroleum. In 2023 alone, the country spent approximately $140 million on imported fuel, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC). Currently, refining activities are limited to a single plant managed by Congolaise de Raffinage (Coraf) in Pointe-Noire.
With a $600 million investment, the Fouta refinery has been developed as part of Congo’s broader strategy to lessen import dependence. By boosting local production, the facility is expected to ease persistent fuel shortages and stabilize the domestic market.
This refinery’s launch coincides with ongoing reforms to attract investment into Congo’s oil and gas industry. The upcoming Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF), slated for March 24-26, will serve as the key platform to unveil the country’s latest oil and gas licensing round.
Beyond energy security, the Congolese government sees the refinery as a catalyst for job creation and foreign investment in the downstream sector. Its expansion could prove instrumental in achieving energy self-sufficiency while positioning Congo as a refined product supplier in regional markets.
Source;energynews.pro
African Energy Council