Greek Tanker Delivers Angolan Oil as Ghana Boosts Domestic Refining Capacity
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Ghana has taken a significant step toward energy independence with the arrival of its first shipment of Angolan crude oil, delivered via a Greek-operated tanker to the Sentuo Oil Refinery in Tema. This marks the first major crude delivery since the refinery temporarily halted operations due to logistical and financial challenges in late 2024.
The shipment, consisting of approximately 500,000 barrels of Palanca crude, was transported aboard the Nicolaos, a Suezmax tanker managed by Greece-based Andriaki Shipping. The vessel loaded the cargo in Angola on April 25 and arrived at the Sentuo Refinery between May 3 and 5, signaling the resumption of crude processing at the facility.
Constructed by the Chinese-owned Sentuo Group, the Sentuo Refinery was inaugurated in January 2024 under Ghana’s “One District, One Factory” industrial policy. With a processing capacity of up to 120,000 barrels per day, the refinery was built to strengthen Ghana’s domestic fuel production, reduce its reliance on imported refined petroleum products, and stimulate local job creation and economic activity.
The refinery had paused imports late last year due to financing delays and broader energy market constraints, forcing Ghana to rely more heavily on foreign supplies of refined fuels. In February 2025, the country recorded its highest monthly fuel import nearly 480,000 tonnes of petrol and diesel underscoring the critical need to ramp up local refining capacity.
Prior to this latest delivery from Angola, Ghana’s crude sources included Nigeria’s Brass River blend, a shipment from Ivory Coast’s Baleine offshore field, and even Russian oil, reflecting the government’s diverse procurement strategy amid global supply disruptions.
The restart of the Sentuo Refinery’s operations is expected to relieve pressure on the country’s import-dependent fuel market, stabilize domestic prices, and support broader energy security goals. Industry experts also note that a steady domestic refining capacity could reduce regional clean tanker demand over time, as Ghana shifts away from refined product imports.
Officials say the successful import of Angolan crude marks the beginning of what could become a regular supply route, strengthening South-South energy cooperation between Ghana and Angola. As global energy dynamics evolve, Ghana’s focus on reviving and expanding domestic refining capacity is seen as a strategic move toward long-term energy sovereignty.
With this milestone, Ghana reaffirms its commitment to industrialization and energy resilience, signaling a more self-sufficient future in its petroleum sector.
