Ghana’s fuel supply to Burkina Faso hits 40% as TOR, Sonabhy deepen ties

The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and Burkina Faso’s national petroleum company, Sonabhy, are seeking to deepen their collaboration as they explore opportunities to expand petroleum trade and strengthen supply arrangements between the two countries.

The development follows a high-level visit by a Sonabhy delegation led by its Managing Director, Dr. Patrice Forogo, to TOR, where discussions centred on strengthening commercial relations and improving the supply of petroleum products to Burkina Faso through Ghana.

The delegation, which met TOR Managing Director Edmond Kombat, also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor.

During the engagement, the delegation expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and the Government of Ghana for their support for the movement, trading and supply of petroleum products to Burkina Faso through Ghana.

Mr Kombat highlighted the longstanding relationship between TOR and Sonabhy, describing the partnership as important to the growth of petroleum trade and Ghana’s position as a strategic supply hub for the sub-region.

He disclosed that the share of Burkina Faso’s national petroleum consumption supplied through Ghana had increased from approximately 15 per cent to 40 per cent since President Mahama returned to office in 2024.

According to him, the increase demonstrates the potential of sustained institutional cooperation to expand cross-border trade, create new commercial opportunities and strengthen Ghana’s role in the West African petroleum value chain.

Mr Kombat said the growing partnership also presented opportunities for TOR to expand its market reach, strengthen business relationships and contribute to the development of a more integrated regional petroleum market.

Dr Forogo, for his part, expressed appreciation for the growing relationship between Sonabhy and TOR and reaffirmed his company’s commitment to strengthening petroleum trade through Ghana.

He expressed optimism about further cooperation, particularly in generating additional revenue through mutually agreed petroleum transactions and services.

Dr Forogo also congratulated Mr Kombat on his appointment as Managing Director of TOR and wished him success in executing the mandate entrusted to him by President Mahama.

The discussions further underscored the importance of collaboration among petroleum industry stakeholders in improving product supply, strengthening commercial partnerships and supporting regional energy security.

The strengthened relationship between TOR and Sonabhy is expected to provide opportunities for new trade arrangements, knowledge-sharing and long-term business development as demand for reliable petroleum supplies continues to shape the region’s energy sector.

The visit ended with a tour of key facilities at TOR, including the utilities section, Tank Farm, New Safety Block, Quality Control unit and the F-61 Furnace at the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU).

The tour provided the Sonabhy delegation with first-hand insight into TOR’s operational processes, infrastructure and ongoing development activities, further supporting discussions on future cooperation between the two institutions.