Refiners seek uniform grade as Africa’s sulfur content spikes

• Diesel, PMS sulfur load hits 10,000ppm

African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA), yesterday, said the continent must urgently harmonise sulfur content in petroleum products as sulfuric content in premium motor spirit (PMS) and diesel peaks at 10,000 parts per million (ppm) as against 10 ppm in developed countries.

Executive Secretary of ARDA, Anibor Kragha, in a report, noted that the health risk associated with the development is worrisome amidst the growing population as well as demand for petroleum products on the continent.

The refiners also noted that Dangote Petroleum Refinery Limited remains strategic in the push for the continent to guarantee energy security at a time when refineries are already shut down in Europe and other regions.

Kragha, while discussing ARDA’s efforts to harmonise fuel specifications across Africa, noted that a crucial step towards reducing the environmental impact of the continent’s energy sector is sacrosanct.

According to him, the refiners have been instrumental in supporting the 2020 ECOWAS directive that adopted AFRI-5 specifications of 50 PPM sulfur for fuel.

“Africa currently has 11 diesel grades (10 to 10,000 ppm sulfur) and 12 gasoline grades (10 to 2,500 ppm). ARDA has partnered with UNEP (UN Environment Programme) and participated in the 2022 UNEP Africa Meetings with energy ministers in Nairobi to promote cleaner fuel and vehicle emissions standards across the continent,” Kragha said.

This collaboration includes participating in key discussions, such as the 2022 UNEP Africa Meetings in Nairobi, and delivering reports that highlight the health and socio-economic benefits of adopting low-sulfur fuels, he noted.

ARDA, according to him, is also actively engaged in the OPEC-Africa Energy Dialogue, working with OPEC, the African Union Commission, and the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) to develop a robust intra-African oil and gas industry.

Kragha said the industry is focused on eliminating energy poverty while balancing both energy security and the energy transition.

Kragha’s insights underscore the critical role that local refining and standardised fuel specifications will play in Africa’s energy future, particularly as the continent navigates the dual challenges of growing energy demand and the global push for sustainability.

Reacting to Dangote Refinery, ARDA said with its 650,000 barrel per day (BPD) capacity, the facility is poised to significantly enhance Africa’s energy independence.

Kragha emphasised the refinery’s potential to transform the continent’s energy landscape by reducing the need for imported crude and producing AFRI 6 (10-ppm sulfur) fuels, which will align with global environmental standards.
As Africa’s energy demand is projected to grow by 45-55 per cent by 2040, the Dangote Refinery, to him, is expected to be a game-changer.

“The refinery will not only strengthen Africa’s energy security but also promote local refining, which is crucial for balancing energy needs with a lower carbon footprint,” Kragha stated.

He also highlighted other significant projects in Africa, including upgrades at the Société Ivoirienne de Raffinage (SIR) in Ivory Coast and the development of new refineries in Ghana and Uganda, all of which ARDA supports.
Kragha elaborated on ARDA’s strategic vision, known as the “Tale of Three Decades,” which outlines a sustainable energy transition roadmap for Africa’s downstream sector.

Given that Africa has contributed less than three per cent of global cumulative carbon emissions to date, compared to the European Union’s 33 per cent and North America’s 29 per cent, Kragha argued for a tailored approach that balances energy security with the energy transition.

The strategy’s first decade, up to 2030, focuses on upgrading refineries to produce cleaner fuels, expanding LPG for clean cooking, and developing regional storage and distribution infrastructure while adopting cost-effective renewable solutions like solar technology. The second decade (2030-2040) will see the integration of biofuels, wind, and other emerging renewable technologies.

By the third decade (2040-2050), ARDA envisions incorporating more advanced solutions such as Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) and hydrogen, as these technologies become more mature.

“Our strategy focuses on three pillars: cleaner transport and cooking fuels( including low-sulfur fuels and LPG) and  S&D infrastructure and petrochemical projects first; support for biofuels, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and mature, cost-effective renewable energy solutions second; and finally cleaner primary energy sources for power e.g. replacing coal and oil with natural gas,” Kragha said.