DMEA - Downstream Middle East & Africa
Saudi Aramco HQ hit by Houthi attack as war escalates
Riyadh has chosen to neglect diplomacy with Yemen’s Houthi militia in favour of a military intervention after it seized Yemen’s Red Sea coastline.
African Energy Bank to finance gas projects from early 2027
The Africa Energy Bank will begin financing projects in early 2027 after becoming operational within weeks, Farid Ghezali, secretary-general of the African Petroleum Producers Organization, said at African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town.
Nigerian minister defends petrol discount initiative
Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has revealed his support for the Nigerian National Petroleum Co. Ltd.’s (NNPCL) 30-day petrol discount initiative.
Nigeria’s NNPCL aims for increased crude production
The Nigerian National Petroleum Co. Ltd. (NNPCL) has said that it is aiming to produce 2mn barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) by 2030 and 12bn standard cubic feet of natural gas per day by 2030.
Algeria offers onshore oil and gas opportunities to investors at AEW 2026
Algeria’s state-owned National Agency for the Valorisation of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT) is seeking international investment for seven onshore oil and gas blocks under its 2026 licensing round.
Ethiopia limits Dangote refinery’s $1.6bn IPO to qualified investors
Ethiopia’s capital markets regulator has limited participation in Nigeria’s $1.6bn Dangote refinery IPO to qualified investors, barring sales to the general public.
Senegalese executive leads reported $1bn management buyout of Oryx Energies
The reported buyout would hand one of Africa’s largest independent fuel trading and distribution networks to the executives who already run it, after an earlier approach by financier Simon Tiemtoré’s Lilium Capital.
Petrol use down by 7% in Iran amid push for cheaper CNG
Iran cut petrol consumption by 7% in a month through a campaign urging motorists to leave their cars at home on Tuesdays, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said.
Malawi intensifies crackdown on illegal fuel trading as forex shortages deepen supply crisis
Malawi has intensified nationwide enforcement against illegal fuel traders and hoarders as persistent foreign currency shortages disrupt petroleum imports, leaving motorists facing lengthy queues and businesses struggling to secure supplies.
Dangote refinery extends $1.6bn Nigeria IPO to October 27 amid strong demand
Dangote Petroleum Refinery extends its $1.6bn Nigerian IPO to October 27, targeting expansion to 1.4mn bpd as retail demand grows.
Middle East crude recovers, products crisis deepens
Eight months into the Iran war, Gulf crude flows are approaching pre-war volumes but a depleted products and LNG system faces winter with no margin
Iran to outsource operations at aviation fuel centres to private sector
The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Co. (NIORDC) plans to delegate operations at aviation fuel stations nationwide to qualified private firms in three clusters to cut costs, improve efficiency and reduce its direct operational role.
Nigeria cannot allocate full 700,000 bpd of uncommitted crude to Dangote refinery, minister says
Nigeria's oil supply contracts restrict government crude allocations as Dangote expands domestic sourcing and prepares for a $1.6bn IPO.
Aramco widens onshore pipeline tender drive
Iran cuts 2029 petchem capacity target by 15.6% after Israeli strikes
Iran has slashed its 2029 petrochemical production capacity target by 15.6% after Israeli air strikes damaged major plants and disrupted output.
Tanzania fuel prices may remain elevated until early 2027 amid Hormuz tensions
Tanzania’s fuel prices could remain elevated until December or early January, the Tanzania Association of Oil Marketing Companies (Taomac) has warned, as continued tensions around the Strait of Hormuz keep global oil markets volatile
Nigerian refineries owe $6.2bn to the NNPCL
The Nigerian National Petroleum Co. Ltd. (NNPCL) said on October 7 that debt from its three refineries had risen to N8.31 trillion ($6.2bn) at the end of 2025 despite having extended around N264.4bn ($197.2mn) in new loans to the plants
Ghana’s dollar-pricing dispute complicates Tullow crude sale to Sentuo refinery
Sentuo Oil Refinery has urged Ghana to price domestic crude in cedis, citing currency losses, as Tullow Oil (LSE: TLW) confirms its first Jubilee cargo sold for local refining.
East African investors offered $300mn slice of Nigeria’s Dangote refinery IPO
East African investors can buy into Nigeria’s $1.6bn Dangote refinery IPO through about 729mn depositary receipts priced at KES53.50 and planned for listing in Nairobi. The offer closes on October 13.
Tanzania and Uganda strengthen cooperation on local-content rules for oil and gas sector
Tanzania and Uganda will deepen cooperation on local participation in oil and gas projects as both countries seek to increase opportunities for domestic businesses and professionals in the petroleum sector
Follow us online