Ghana is set to begin refining crude oil from its own fields locally, becoming one of the latest African oil-producing nations to strengthen domestic refining and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.

President John Dramani Mahama announced that the first shipment of crude from Ghana’s offshore oil fields will be delivered to a local refinery for processing in June. The move is expected to help the country retain more value from its petroleum resources while boosting energy security and industrial development.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort across Africa to increase domestic refining capacity. Countries such as Nigeria and Angola have expanded their downstream sectors to process more of their crude oil locally rather than exporting raw crude and importing refined fuels.

Ghana’s refining plans are centered on the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), which resumed operations in late 2025. The refinery is currently working to increase its processing capacity, while the privately owned Sentuo Oil Refinery is also contributing to the country’s refining output.

Mahama said local refining would help conserve foreign exchange, create jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains, and support economic growth. He added that Ghana must focus on adding value to its natural resources rather than relying solely on crude exports.

The president also revealed that Ghana has secured about $1.5 billion in new investment from Italian energy company Eni for the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) project, which is expected to support future oil and gas production growth.

The planned refining of Ghanaian crude marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to build a more self-sufficient energy sector and maximize the benefits of its petroleum industry.