KEY POINTS
- Ghana seeks to import fuel from Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery to reduce import costs and logistical challenges.
- The refinery can produce 650,000 barrels daily, offering a more stable supply for Ghana’s energy needs.
- Importing from Nigeria may reduce Ghana’s reliance on distant suppliers, aiding price stability.
The recent interest by Ghana in importing fuel from Dangote Refinery in Nigeria is a new shift in the energy sector in West Africa that may bring about new economic and trade relations between the two countries. This strategic consideration comes at a time when Ghana’s fuel importation has been characterized by; global oil prices, foreign exchange rates, and high importation of fuel due to the country’s limited refining capacity.
Ghana’s fuel import challenges and rising costs
As published by Reuters, Ghana today relies heavily on imported petroleum products and the process of acquiring foreign currency is a challenge as well as the high global oil prices. These are compounded by the devaluation of the Ghanaian cedi which increases fuel prices and the general purchasing power in the country.
Another opportunity is to obtain fuel from Dangote Refinery, which started its production in Nigeria with a capacity of 650 thousand barrels per day. Since transportation costs are relatively low and the distance is shorter, Dangote’s supply may be more consistent in delivering fuel to Ghana and at the same time, the costs associated with overseas imports.
Economic implications of the partnership
From an economic point of view, this possible cooperation has several benefits for Ghana and Nigeria.
For Ghana: Lowering the import costs and the access to fuel could help ease the pressure on the country’s economy. In the long run, the availability of a stable source of fuel may help in promoting economic stability and hence, help in controlling inflationary factors that are associated with high fuel prices.
The structure could also spur Ghana’s domestic sectors such as agriculture, transport, and energy-sensitive sectors which are affected by fuel prices. Reduced operating costs in these sectors may lead to improved competitiveness of Ghana’s goods within the region and thus the economy.
For Nigeria: The sale of fuel to Ghana is in tandem with Nigeria’s effort to diversify its oil and gas revenue sources by becoming a supplier to the neighboring countries. This potential trade expansion places Nigeria in a strategic position to be a major supplier of energy to the West African sub-region hence enhancing its dominance in the region. It also serves the business needs of Dangote Refinery by accessing neighboring markets that offer a ready market for fuel products.
Advantages of the partnership
The prospective fuel supply from Dangote to Ghana offers multiple benefits:
- Cost efficiency: Compared to importing from overseas markets, importing from Nigeria could lower some of the logistical costs including shipping and handling that have contributed to the current fuel import costs in Ghana.
- Regional economic cooperation: Enhancing the trade relations between Nigeria and Benin can foster the growth of both countries’ economies, which serves as a good example of the AfCFTA agreement. It could also help in improving economic diversification against the global market shocks in the region.
- Stabilization of fuel supply: This means that, with a constant supply from Dangote, Ghana could be able to have a stable supply of fuel hence reducing fluctuations in the local market.
Practical recommendations for continuing the partnership
- Diversifying supply sources: However, Ghana should also look at other options as the Dangote Refinery offers a more practical solution. This could involve putting money into renewable energy sources or affiliating with other regional suppliers to reduce dependency on one supplier.
- Stabilizing the local currency: The government of Ghana may consider fiscal measures that help to stabilize the local currency, the cedi as fluctuations in the exchange rate have a direct impact on the price of imported fuel.
The likelihood of Ghana buying fuel from Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery is a positive signal towards the realization of energy security and integration in West Africa. It could help cut Ghana’s import bill, lessen its dependence on remote sources, and boost industries critical to its economy.
Despite such threats as currency fluctuations and dependency risks, this partnership could be a good transition towards sustainable energy solutions if well-planned and diversified.
