JOHANNESBURG, 15 Sept. - (ANA) - South Africa announced plans to at least triple its oil refining capacity, the latest country on the continent to make moves to boost its energy independence. 

 

The war in the Middle East has exposed Africa’s reliance on energy imports, which account for around 70% of the continent’s refined fuel needs. 

 

In response, several countries have made moves to boost their refining capacity: Africa’s richest man recently announced he would build a mega-facility in Kenya modelled on the continent’s biggest refinery in Nigeria — which he owns.

 

Countries have also boosted their adoption of renewable energy, helping millions access reliable electricity for the first time. Think tank Ember projected Africa’s adoption of solar panels would rise by 45% this year.

 

Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, the company, owned by Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, began operations in 2024 and is taking steps to double capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day.

 

Dangote’s plant is currently the largest one in the world that uses a single crude distillation unit. The refinery will drive a two-fold increase in GDP to $600 billion by 2030, according to estimates. - (ANA) -  

 

AB/ANA/15 September 2026 - -