West African regulators call for unified fuel standards

Petroleum regulators in West Africa are advocating for harmonized fuel quality standards, improved infrastructure, and stronger regulatory coordination to facilitate cross-border trade. During the 20th OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos, officials highlighted that significant disparities in fuel specifications—such as diesel ranging from 50 ppm to 1,500 ppm—hinder fair competition and product comparison.

Rabiu Umar, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), proposed the establishment of a West African reference price for petroleum products to strengthen trade among regional producers.

Additionally, Godwin Tameklo, CEO of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA), identified inadequate infrastructure as a major constraint. He noted that port and storage facilities in some nations cannot accommodate large vessel volumes, necessitating smaller shipments. Experts emphasized that addressing these infrastructure gaps and regulatory differences is essential for the efficient movement of petroleum products across the region.