….As TOR deepens cross-border supplies
Ghana is now facilitating the transport of approximately 40 percent of Burkina Faso’s petroleum products, up from 15 percent two years ago, following strengthened cooperation between Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and Burkina Faso’s state-owned petroleum company, Société Nationale Burkinabè d’Hydrocarbures (SONABHY).
The development highlights Ghana’s growing role as a strategic petroleum supply and transit hub in West Africa, with both institutions exploring opportunities to deepen commercial ties and expand regional petroleum trade.
The Managing Director of TOR, Mr. Edmond Kombat, received a delegation from SONABHY, led by its newly appointed Managing Director, Dr. Patrice Forogo, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions.
The delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, to express appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and the Government of Ghana for their continued support in facilitating the procurement, transportation and supply of petroleum products to Burkina Faso through Ghana.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Dr Jinapor confirmed the meeting, saying discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in petroleum transportation and supply, deepening regional energy collaboration and advancing shared priorities for the mutual benefit of both countries.
The SONABHY delegation expressed its appreciation for Ghana’s assistance and called for deeper collaboration to consolidate the partnership.
During the meeting with the TOR management, Mr Kombat underscored the importance of the longstanding relationship between the two companies, particularly its contribution to facilitating petroleum trade through Ghana to the market served by SONABHY.
He said the growing partnership had contributed to a significant increase in the proportion of Burkina Faso’s national petroleum consumption supplied through Ghana, from approximately 15 percent to 40 percent since President Mahama returned to office in 2024.
Mr Kombat said the development demonstrated the importance of sustained institutional collaboration in expanding regional trade and reinforcing Ghana’s position within the West African petroleum value chain.
For TOR, the engagement offers an opportunity to explore how stronger institutional relationships and cross-border trade could support its business objectives, broaden market access and create additional commercial opportunities.
Dr Forogo, for his part, expressed appreciation for the growing collaboration between the two institutions and reaffirmed SONABHY’s commitment to strengthening petroleum trade through Ghana.
He also expressed optimism about future cooperation between the companies, particularly in generating additional revenue through mutually agreed petroleum transactions and services.
Dr Forogo congratulated Mr Kombat on his appointment as Managing Director of TOR and wished him success in fulfilling the mandate entrusted to him by President Mahama.
The discussions come amid the importance of regional cooperation in securing reliable petroleum supplies, improving transportation arrangements, and strengthening commercial relationships among industry players in West Africa.
Closer collaboration between TOR and SONABHY could also create opportunities for knowledge sharing, improved operational coordination and long-term business development as demand for dependable petroleum supplies continues to shape the region’s energy landscape.
The visit concluded with a tour of key installations at the Tema refinery, including the utilities section, tank farm, new safety block, quality control facilities, and the F-61 furnace at the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU).
The tour provided the delegation with an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into TOR’s operations, infrastructure and ongoing development activities.
