AOG 2025: ARDA Calls for Harmonization Between Africa’s Upstream and Downstream Sectors
The African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) advocated for the need to harmonize Africa’s upstream and downstream sectors to ensure energy security on the continent.
During the Conference and Exhibition in Luanda, Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of ARDA, highlighted the urgency of strengthening refining and import capacity, given the structural insufficiency of installed capacity in Africa.
“The future of our upstream sector is promising, but investments in the downstream are not keeping pace. We are focused on energy security, cleaner fuels for transport and cooking, and more efficient storage and distribution solutions,” stated Kragha.
In Angola, key ongoing projects include the Cabinda, Soyo, and Lobito refineries, which are expected to be operational in 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively. With these infrastructures, the country aims to achieve over 400,000 barrels per day of refining capacity. These advancements were highlighted in the panel “Towards a Secure Energy Future: Accelerating Downstream Development to Meet Market Demand,” sponsored by FAMAR.
The Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute (IRDP) also used the AOG 2025 platform to present its strategy for expanding fuel refining and storage capacity. According to the institute, Angola will increase operational capacity at the Lobito and Namibe facilities by 2027, with new infrastructures planned for Cabinda, Soyo, and Moxico.
“Our goal is to improve the regulatory framework to attract more investment to Angola than ever before,” declared António Feijó, Deputy Director-General of the IRDP.
Complementing the national downstream sector, FAMAR, a bunkering and maritime services company, plays a central role in the distribution and trade of petroleum products and services in Angola. The company is modernizing port infrastructures with integrated storage solutions, fuel management, and ship repair.
“When it comes to offshore distribution and supply, efficiency and reliability have never been more critical. Therefore, we have created a storage program to support the entire oil and gas value chain in Angola,” explained Ruis Morais, Administrator of FAMAR.
In turn, Kevin Dadzie, Regional Director of Refining and Product Trading – Europe and Africa, at bp, stated that “major investments are being made in refineries, infrastructure, and trading. These are the central pillars of growth for the sector.”
