African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) will focus on the need for sustainable petroleum refining in Africa at the 24th World Petroleum Congress (WPC) in Calgary.
ARDA in a release said it’s eagerly anticipating meaningful interactions with significant stakeholders regarding the African Downstream Energy Transition Roadmap.
The Executive Secretary of ARDA, Anibor Kragha, noted that the roadmap offers a unique African perspective on the importance of cleaner fuels such as LPG for clean cooking, the establishment of efficient storage and distribution infrastructure, and the adoption of cleaner primary energy sources for power generation.
“These measures are seen as essential not only for addressing immediate energy poverty challenges on the continent but also for aligning with long-term objectives involving mature renewable technologies,” Kragha said.
According to him, ARDA is taking the opportunity at WPC 2023 to present its insights on the future of sustainable refining and petrochemical operations within Africa.
“These contributions aim to foster a resilient intra-African oil and gas industry. This presentation will occur during the CEO session titled “Market Outlook for Petrochemicals and Refineries of the Future,” where ARDA will be joined by executives from the United States, Europe, and Saudi Arabia.
“Furthermore, ARDA intends to unveil plans for its inaugural Investment Forum, scheduled for April of the following year, during ARDA Week 2024, set to take place in Cape Town. This significant event marks a pivotal step in the association’s growth and development.
“In addition to these key engagements, ARDA is actively participating in the International Trade Association Leadership Roundtable scheduled for September 19, hosted by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the American Petroleum Institute (API). These discussions provide an excellent platform for global dialogue and collaboration,” he said.
ARDA is scheduled to participate in a panel session coordinated by the Africa Energy Futures Forum on September 20 and the Nigeria Energy Business Exchange on September 21. The engagements demonstrate ARDA’s commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration within the energy sector, with a particular focus on Africa, Kragha noted.
Stating that ARDA remains dedicated to supporting its members, partners, and key stakeholders in the pursuit of a robust, pan-African Downstream Energy Transition Plan, Kragha said the plan aims to strike a delicate balance between addressing the unique needs of Africa’s burgeoning population and the imperative of reducing energy poverty, all while aligning with the broader global energy transition agenda.
