The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) will join national oil company executives from across the continent at the eighth African Petroleum Producers' Organisation (APPO) NOC-CEO Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, where African energy leaders will discuss strategies to expand local refining, mobilise financing for energy projects, strengthen regional petroleum trade and unlock greater value from the continent's oil and gas resources.

The high-level meeting will take place on October 12, 2026, alongside African Energy Week 2026.

GNPC Chief Executive Officer Kwame Ntow Amoah will represent Ghana as delegates consider practical measures to deepen cooperation among African producers through shared infrastructure.

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Key issues expected to dominate discussions include Africa's continued dependence on exporting crude oil while importing refined petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and aviation fuel.

Although Africa is a major crude oil producer, many countries continue to lose significant economic value because refining activities largely take place outside the continent.

This arrangement has deprived producing countries of potential employment, industrial capacity, technical expertise and foreign exchange savings.

For Ghana, the discussions could support efforts to expand local refining capacity, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and position the country as a petroleum trading and logistics hub for West Africa.

The report noted that Ghana's existing ports, petroleum storage facilities, energy institutions and strategic location provide a strong foundation for expanding regional fuel distribution and cross-border petroleum trade.

By processing more crude locally and developing stronger regional supply arrangements, Ghana could retain a larger share of the petroleum sector's value while supporting jobs, industrial activity, and investment.

Another major item on the agenda will be the proposed African petroleum products exchange, a platform designed to connect crude producers, refineries, traders, marketers and buyers across APPO member states.

The forum is expected to explore regional refining and petrochemical hubs, where member countries can pool crude oil supplies, financing, infrastructure and market demand to improve the commercial viability of large-scale refineries.

The report explained that achieving this objective will require member countries to harmonise fuel specifications, taxation systems, customs procedures and petroleum regulations to facilitate cross-border trade and improve regional fuel security.

For Ghana, such a platform could strengthen opportunities in petroleum storage, distribution, marketing and logistics while creating larger regional markets for locally refined petroleum products.

The proposed African Energy Bank, being developed by APPO and Afreximbank, is expected to finance upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum projects at a time when several international financial institutions have reduced funding for new hydrocarbon developments.

According to the report, the institution could finance oil production, gas processing plants, refineries, pipelines, storage terminals and petrochemical facilities across the continent.

The forum will examine how the bank can support upstream, midstream and downstream projects, including oil production, gas processing plants, pipelines, refineries, storage terminals and petrochemical facilities.

The report said the proposed bank could become an important source of financing for Ghana's gas infrastructure, petroleum storage facilities, refining projects and offshore developments, while also creating investment opportunities for Ghanaian banks, pension funds and other institutional investors.

Natural gas development is another major focus of the forum.

Executives are also expected to discuss regional liquefied natural gas cooperation, gas-to-power investments, cross-border gas supply agreements and measures to reduce routine gas flaring across the continent.

ANAS/MA

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