Dr. Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), has described Ghana’s Petroleum Hub project as a transformative opportunity for Africa to address its energy challenges through regional collaboration and investment.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the opening of the Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) in Accra on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Dr. Aubynn emphasized that the Petroleum Hub is designed to be a comprehensive center for the transportation, storage, and processing of petroleum and petrochemical products. He noted that the project provides a critical platform for African governments and investors to demonstrate their commitment to regional integration and sustainable energy development.
“The Petroleum Hub is not just a Ghanaian ambition—it is a continental opportunity. But to what extent have we engaged our African counterparts? How effectively have we attracted investment from countries like Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone?” he questioned, highlighting the need for broader collaboration across the region.
Dr. Aubynn underscored the vast infrastructure development potential the project offers—including refineries, petrochemical plants, storage facilities, jetties, road networks, and port infrastructure—stressing that these elements represent significant investment opportunities for African stakeholders.
He acknowledged, however, that unlocking these opportunities requires deliberate efforts to promote the project and increase awareness of its benefits among African investors. “This is a core mandate of the PHDC,” he stated, “and we are actively engaging global platforms and forums to advocate for the Petroleum Hub and its strategic value.”
Dr. Aubynn further emphasized that regional integration is essential for overcoming Africa’s energy and development challenges. He called on African nations to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African trade and economic cooperation, positioning projects like the Petroleum Hub as key enablers of continental progress.
About the PHDC
The Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) was established under the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation Act, 2020 (Act 1053), to spearhead the development of a world-class petroleum and petrochemical hub in Ghana, serving the West African sub-region and beyond.
The Corporation’s mandate includes fostering innovation, advancing research, and coordinating strategic infrastructure development to meet Africa’s growing demand for petroleum products and services. Through the creation of an integrated value chain, PHDC aims to unlock economic potential, support industrialization, and create employment opportunities for Ghanaians and other African citizens.
About the Petroleum Hub Project
The Petroleum Hub is a $60 billion infrastructure project to be developed in Jomoro, in Ghana’s Western Region.
It will feature:
- Three (3) refineries with a combined production capacity of 300,000 barrels per stream day (BPSD),
- Five (5) petrochemical plants with a minimum combined capacity of 90,000 BPSD,
- Storage tanks with a capacity of 10 million cubic meters, and
- At least two jetties to support marine logistics.
The Hub is envisioned to transform Ghana into a major petroleum and petrochemical hub in Africa, strengthening energy security, driving industrial growth, and fostering regional economic integration.
