The Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, Dr Toni Aubynn, and the Vice President of Touchstone Capital Partners (TCP), Niccolö Ravano, have reaffirmed their commitment to executing Lot 1 of the transformational Petroleum Hub Project in a joint interview.
Below is the full interview
Q: Why is the Ghana Petroleum Hub considered one of Africa’s most strategically important infrastructure developments?
Dr. Toni Aubynn
Chief Executive Officer, PHDC
The Petroleum Hub is not simply a refinery project; it is a national economic transformation programme.
It integrates upstream, midstream, and downstream petroleum activities with LNG, Gas-to-Power, petrochemicals, logistics, industrial manufacturing, and export infrastructure into a single coordinated development ecosystem.
According to the draft plan, the programme represents approximately US$60 billion of planned investment over three development phases. The completed Hub is planned to include three refineries, five petrochemical plants, major storage facilities, LNG infrastructure, industrial parks and modern transport and logistics systems capable of serving both Ghana and the wider West African region.
Q: What long-term economic and social impact is the project expected to have?
Dr. Toni Aubynn
Chief Executive Officer, PHDC
The Petroleum Hub is expected to become one of the largest industrial development programmes in Africa.
Its objectives include strengthening Ghana’s energy security, increasing refining capacity, expanding exports, attracting foreign direct investment, promoting industrialisation and supporting regional economic integration.
Project planning also anticipates substantial employment opportunities during construction and operations, together with technology transfer, local content development, skills training and growth opportunities for Ghanaian enterprises. Broader projections describe the potential for significant long-term employment, improvements in industrial productivity and wider social benefits — including support for education, healthcare, technical training and community development — subject to phased implementation and investment commitments.
Q: What is Touchstone Capital Partners’ role in delivering a programme of this scale?
Niccolö Ravano
Vice President, Touchstone Capital Partners
Projects of this magnitude require much more than financing. They require an integrated development platform capable of bringing together governments, institutional investors, EPC contractors, technology providers, operators, export credit agencies, development finance institutions and strategic industrial partners.
Touchstone Capital Partners coordinates these stakeholders within a structured consortium framework designed to enhance project bankability, improve execution and support long-term investment sustainability.
Q: Touchstone frequently speaks about developing integrated ecosystems rather than individual projects. What does that mean?
Niccolö Ravano
Vice President, Touchstone Capital Partners
Traditional investment models generally finance individual assets. Our approach is fundamentally different.
We develop integrated Financial, Industrial, New Energy and Social Ecosystems where infrastructure, industry, finance, logistics, digital technologies, education, healthcare and workforce development reinforce one another.
The Ghana Integrated Energy & Industrial Hub demonstrates this model by combining energy production, refining, petrochemicals, logistics, manufacturing, digital infrastructure, financial services and human capital development into one coordinated economic platform.
We believe this approach strengthens commercial resilience, diversifies revenue streams, accelerates industrialisation and creates sustainable long-term value for governments, investors and local communities.
Q: How is the project being structured to satisfy international investors?
Niccolö Ravano
Vice President, Touchstone Capital Partners
Institutional investors require transparent governance, disciplined execution and effective risk allocation.
The project is therefore being developed using internationally recognised project finance principles, including independent technical, legal and financial due diligence, ESG compliance, internationally experienced EPC contractors, long-term Operations & Maintenance partners, comprehensive insurance programmes, diversified funding sources and participation by Export Credit Agencies and institutional lenders where appropriate.
The objective is to establish a commercially robust, transparent and internationally bankable investment platform.
Q: What is the current implementation status and roadmap?
Dr. Toni Aubynn
Chief Executive Officer, PHDC
The Petroleum Hub is being implemented in Lots.
Initial activities focus on foundational infrastructure, regulatory implementation, land development, strategic partnerships, financing and priority industrial facilities. Subsequent Lots will expand refining capacity, petrochemical production, logistics infrastructure and industrial development as commercial, regulatory and financing milestones are achieved.
This phased approach supports disciplined execution, effective risk management and long-term financial sustainability.
Q: Finally, what is your long-term vision for Ghana and Africa?
Dr. Toni Aubynn
Chief Executive Officer, PHDC
Our vision is to position Ghana as one of Africa’s leading integrated energy and industrial economies, creating sustainable opportunities through industrialisation, innovation and regional cooperation.
Niccolö Ravano
Vice President, Touchstone Capital Partners
Our vision extends beyond a single project. We believe Africa’s next phase of economic development will be driven by integrated development ecosystems that combine infrastructure, finance, industry, technology and human capital.
If successfully implemented, the Ghana Integrated Energy & Industrial Hub could serve as a reference model for sustainable industrial development across Africa and other emerging regions.
Closing Statement
“The Ghana Integrated Energy & Industrial Hub represents more than a major infrastructure
| investment. It is a long-term industrial transformation platform designed to integrate energy, petrochemicals, logistics, manufacturing, finance and human capital development within a coordinated economic ecosystem. Through the partnership between the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, the Government of Ghana, Touchstone Capital Partners and an international consortium of strategic partners, the initiative seeks to mobilise long-term investment, advanced technologies and global expertise to support sustainable economic growth, regional energy security and industrial competitiveness across West Africa. |
