By 2040, up to 60% of Africa’s energy matrix will come from fossil fuels, Anibor Kulaga, Secretary General of the African Refining and Distribution Association, said during Thursday’s Angola Oil and Gas (AOG) conference, hosted by FAMAR. This was stated during a panel discussion. . This highlights the fundamental need for greater investment in downstream infrastructure, he noted.
While efforts are being made to reduce oil imports, Kulaga made three recommendations to expand downstream infrastructure, strengthen regional trade and strengthen energy security.
“The first is harmonized, harmonized, regional regulation. It is important that we do this. Without harmonized regulation, there will be no harmonized markets. Second, market-based We need pricing and products. Finally, we need to focus on infrastructure to minimize supply chain risk. We use trucks, we use rail, we use ports, etc. need to be optimized,” he said.
Orlando Chongo, Head of Indian Ocean and Lusophone Africa at the Trade and Development Bank, highlighted the need to improve access to finance for downstream companies. While plans are being developed to strengthen infrastructure capacity, capital needs to be made more available.
Meanwhile, in Angola, the country’s downstream regulator has introduced necessary support policies to support companies seeking to invest in the country’s downstream market. Dr. Luis Fernandes, Executive Director of IRDP, said: There are new rules that need to be put in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with climate change policies. We have a legal framework to help businesses achieve this. ”
Expanding downstream infrastructure is a top priority for state-run oil company Sonangol. The company is prioritizing investments in refining, distribution and port infrastructure to strengthen regional trade. Three new refinery projects are currently under construction. One is the 60,000 barrels per day (BPD) Cabinda project, which will begin operations this year. The 100,000 BPD Soyo refinery and the 200,000 BPD Lobito refinery.
Other projects include the Barra do Dande Marine Terminal. Mauro Graça, CEO of Sonangol Distribution and Marketing, said: With this project, we are thinking not only about Angola, but also about the region. The Cabinda refinery will need more storage capacity to be able to export. The company is investing in 24,000 cubic meters of additional storage capacity. There is also a project to create a sea route so that larger ships can go to Cabinda and carry out operations. ”
Angola’s focus on strengthening port logistics will help boost exports both regionally and internationally. Sara Silva, Legal Compliance Manager at FAMAR, said maritime transport is essential to global trade.
“This has proven to be the most cost-effective mode of transport, allowing large volumes of cargo to be transported and reducing costs per unit of transport. There is an opportunity to connect markets and connect Africa with the world. “There is,” she said.
In the retail sector, efforts are underway to increase the number of retail stations across the country. Pumangol CCO Oscar Sekesek said the company is focused on accelerating Angola’s inland fuel storage capacity. In this way, Angola aims to improve access to affordable and locally produced fuel products.
