- African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) has called for leeway to ensure downstream energy transition in Africa and sustainable finance to create energy security amid the global energy crisis and intense push towards net zero.
- We cannot prevaricate if we are going to meet our short-term energy security objectives, banish fuel poverty, and achieve our COP targets. Action is needed now.”-Marieme Ndoye Decreane
African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) has called for leeway to ensure downstream energy transition in Africa and sustainable finance to create energy security amid the global energy crisis and intense push towards net zero. This follows the pan-African body concluding arrangements to bring global industry players to Cape Town, South Africa, to discuss options for emerging energy issues.
Highlighting the challenges of decarbonisation economic opportunities, infrastructure financing that would accelerate Africa’s Energy Transition, carbon abatement projects as well as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), biofuels and other sustainable fuels integration for energy security, President of ARDA and Managing Director of SAR refinery in Dakar, Senegal, Marieme Ndoye Decreane, said immediate actions were needed on the continent to achieve projected objectives in the sector. She said: “We cannot prevaricate if we are going to meet our short-term energy security objectives, banish fuel poverty, and achieve our COP targets. Action is needed now.”
At the conference, Mme Ndoye Decreane highlighted the conflicting fortunes of the African downstream sector, saying: “In Senegal, we are investing in our refinery, backed by our country’s President, and in Nigeria, the gigantic Dangote refinery is nearing completion backed by private financing. Nigeria is also rehabilitating its NNPC refineries, and other countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, the Republic of Congo, Uganda and Cameroun have ongoing projects. However, in Zambia and South Africa, refineries have announced closure.
Individual speakers at the event are expected to cover the role of the Downstream in delivering the African Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI); National Oil Companies and Energy Transition – The Path to Net-Zero; African Independents’ Path to Cleaner Fuels and Net-Zero and Cleaner Vehicle Emissions – An Essential Path to reduce Air Pollution.