DMEA - Downstream Middle East & Africa
Iraq’s FCC protest crisis escalates in Basra after week-long refinery shutdown
A labour dispute at the FCC project in Basra has escalated, with protesters continuing to block the gates of the South Refineries Company for several days, prompting the provincial governor to meet demonstrators inside the facility.
Nigeria expands CNG transition as Lotus Bank backs $2bn mobility drive
Nigeria is accelerating its compressed natural gas and electric vehicle transition through a new partnership between the federal government and Lotus Bank, as Abuja seeks to reduce fuel import dependence and ease post-subsidy transport costs.
Korea’s Daewoo E&C expands LNG footprint in Africa
Daewoo Engineering & Construction is expanding its role in Africa’s liquefied natural gas sector through major projects in Nigeria and Mozambique, strengthening its position as South Korea’s leading LNG infrastructure contractor
Egypt plans to establish Alexandria-El Hamra refined products pipeline
Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum is preparing to complete a new pipeline for transporting refined petroleum products from Alexandria to El Hamra Petroleum Port on the Mediterranean coast during H2 2026
Rwanda confirms continued military deployment in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado
Kigali will maintain military operations in Cabo Delgado province under an arrangement with Maputo, underscoring Rwanda’s continuing role in stabilising the insurgency-hit region that hosts some of Africa’s largest LNG projects.
Nigeria urged to find new crude buyers amid UAE exit from OPEC
PETAN chairman Wole Ogunsanya has urged NNPCL and Nigerian oil producers to secure new crude buyers and diversify export markets, warning that the UAE’s departure from OPEC could destabilise global oil market management
Dangote plans major Atlantic port project in southwest Nigeria to support oil, fertiliser exports
Dangote Industries, the parent company of a 650,000-bpd refinery, said the port would support exports of fertilisers and petrochemicals in addition to refined petroleum products
UAE, Kuwait expand overseas storage to safeguard Asian supply chains
Kuwait is accelerating a strategy to hold crude reserves overseas to insulate international supply chains from mounting geopolitical risks in the Gulf.
Uganda and East Africa energy sector advance Dangote-led regional refinery talks
Uganda’s planned refinery remains commercially viable and will proceed alongside discussions on a larger regional oil processing project involving private and state actors across East Africa
Kenya transport sector strike and fuel protests leave at least four dead
At least four people were reported dead in Kenya on May 18 as protests over rising fuel prices spread across several towns and cities, disrupting transport networks and forcing thousands of commuters to walk to work after a nationwide matatu strike
Gulf allies avert US Strike on Iran as Washington weighs temporary sanctions relief
Following interventions by regional leaders, a planned US military strike against Iran was postponed amid reports Washington may temporarily waive oil sanctions during negotiations.
Ludoil Energy’s ISAB refinery deal strengthens Africa-Europe energy links
Italy-based private energy company Ludoil Energy has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in ISAB, owner of the Priolo Gargallo refinery in Sicily, Italy’s largest refinery and a key fuel supply hub in the Mediterranean.
Dangote refinery sues to halt Nigeria petrol imports amid market battle
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reopened its battle with fuel importers after filing a lawsuit seeking to halt petrol imports into Nigeria, arguing that continued import licences violate the Petroleum Industry Act and undermine domestic refining.
LOTUS Bank backs Nigeria CNG, EV expansion drive with financing partnership
LOTUS Bank partners with Nigeria’s Presidential Initiative on CNG & EV to finance compressed natural gas and EV infrastructure as Abuja accelerates efforts to reduce fuel costs, expand cleaner transport alternatives.
Turkey reportedly proposes building Nato fuel pipeline to Romania via Bulgaria
Turkey has proposed building a fuel pipeline to serve military needs of Nato that would connect Turkey to Romania via Bulgaria, Bloomberg on May 15 cited unnamed Turkish people familiar with the matter as saying.
Nigeria grants pension funds waiver to invest in Dangote Refinery IPO
Nigeria’s PenCom has granted pension fund administrators a special waiver allowing investment in the planned Dangote Petroleum Refinery IPO, in support of what may be the largest listings in African capital markets history.
Zimbabwe to boost capacity of refined fuel pipeline from 3bn litres to 5bn litres per year by 2027
The first phase of the project increased the pumping capacity of the 573km Beira-Feruka-Msasa pipeline from 2bn to 3bn litres of refined product per year.
Kenya Airways and Rubis Energy to build Africa’s first sustainable aviation fuel refinery in Kenya
Nigeria: Doubts emerge over NNPCL’s refinery deal with Chinese companies
The NNPCL has signed an MoU with Chinese companies for the rehabilitation of Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
Iran says oil spill near Kharg Island caused by tanker discharge
An oil spill detected in the Persian Gulf by European Copernicus Sentinel satellites on May 8 near Iran’s Kharg Island – a terminal responsible for 90% of the country’s oil exports – has allegedly been caused by tanker discharge.
Aliko Dangote and Kenyan President split over site of proposed East African refinery
Nigerian billionaire and CEO of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote revealed on May 10 that he was looking to construct a new 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery in Kenya, according to the Financial Times.
Iran urges petrol savings after war damage hits fuel infrastructure
Iran’s state fuel distributor called on the public to cut petrol consumption after energy infrastructure was damaged in air strikes during the US-Israeli war against the country, as the government gears up to roll out new refuelling restrictions.
Meren Energy flags stronger strategic role for Nigerian, West African crude amid global supply risk
Canada’s Meren Energy said shifting global oil trade flows and concerns over potential Middle East supply disruptions are increasing the strategic importance of Nigeria and West Africa’s offshore crude sector
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