By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Zambia’s government has signed an agreement paving way to develop a $1.1 billion crude oil refinery and energy complex in Ndola, in the country’s Copperbelt, authorities said on Monday.
The agreement was between Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation and Fujian Xiang Xin Corporation of China.
The refinery, when completed, will process about 60,000 barrels per day (BPD) of crude oil, providing enough refined products to meet the Southern African nation’s domestic demand and potentially allowing for future exports to neighbouring countries, a government statement said.
The planned facility will save the country millions of dollars annually expended in the import of refined petroleum products.
Zambian officials are hopeful that construction will commence in the third quarter of 2025, with a first phase of commercial operations planned for 2026.
Reuters quoted a spokesperson of Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation as saying that the refinery would source crude from the Middle East and that it would be imported through the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam.
According to Zambian government, the project, in addition to the fuel refinery, will also produce energy complex that will include units for liquefied petroleum gas bottling, bitumen production, lubricants blending, and a 130-megawatt power plant.
The facility aligns with President Hakainde Hichilema administration’s long-term economic goals by boosting energy security, creating jobs, and strengthening regional trade links.
