Burkina Faso Boosts Fuel Imports Through Ghana
The landlocked nation now sources 40 percent of its petroleum imports via Ghana as refinery capacity increases.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Oil and Gas
Live Poll
Do you believe regional energy integration between neighbors helps stabilize fuel costs in your nation?
Burkina Faso increased its petroleum product imports through Ghana to 40 percent in 2026, up from 15 percent in 2024. This growth follows the successful restart of the Tema Oil Refinery, which had been dormant previously.
Why it matters
The revitalization of the refinery restored regional supply stability, allowing neighboring Burkina Faso to rely more heavily on Ghanaian logistics rather than alternative routes. Increased storage and processing capacities have also bolstered local economic output and employment.
The Tema Oil Refinery expanded its processing capacity to 100,000 barrels per day and grew its total product storage to 1.35 million metric tonnes in 2026. The facility has created 1,657 direct jobs and more than 6,500 indirect jobs.
The players
Tema Oil Refinery
This facility serves as a primary hub for petroleum processing and storage in Ghana.
Burkina Faso
A landlocked West African nation that increasingly utilizes Ghanaian infrastructure for its fuel imports.
The details
Operations at the Tema Oil Refinery resumed in December 2025 after its Crude Distillation Unit and Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracker were idle throughout 2024. Since restarting, the facility has processed more than five million barrels of crude oil to improve regional fuel availability.
Timeline
2024: Refinery operations were idle.
December 2025: Refinery restarted the Crude Distillation Unit.
September 2026: Revenue growth reached almost 60 percent.
2028: Government target date to supply 70 percent of national fuel demand locally.
Market Landscape
The refinery's operational restart follows a pattern set by the West African Power Pool integrated energy planning framework, which emphasizes regional supply chain security. This shift positions Ghana as a critical infrastructure partner, reducing dependence on long-haul transit for landlocked neighbors.
Improved refining stability reduces supply volatility for fuel consumers in the region by ensuring more consistent local availability. The creation of over 8,000 combined direct and indirect jobs provides a significant economic stimulus for the local labor market.
The takeaway
Reliable domestic processing capacity remains a cornerstone for achieving regional energy independence in West Africa. Nations prioritizing local infrastructure can successfully pivot trade routes to favor more stable and efficient supply chains.
What happens next
The government is working toward a 2028 target to supply 70 percent of national fuel demand through local refining.
Further reading
Learn more about energy logistics in the Oil and Gas sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BusinessGhana.
Live Poll
Do you believe regional energy integration between neighbors helps stabilize fuel costs in your nation?
