Ghana is consolidating its position as a major petroleum transit corridor in West Africa, with its share of Burkina Faso’s petroleum transit increasing from 15 per cent to approximately 40 per cent over the past two years.
The development highlights Ghana’s growing importance in supplying petroleum products to its landlocked neighbour and presents opportunities to expand cooperation in regional energy transportation and logistics.
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, disclosed the figures following a meeting with a delegation from Burkina Faso’s national hydrocarbon company, Société Nationale Burkinabè d’Hydrocarbures (SONABHY).
The delegation, led by the company’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Forogo Patrice, paid a courtesy call on the minister to discuss petroleum supply arrangements and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
According to Mr Jinapor, the Burkinabe delegation expressed appreciation to the Government of Ghana for its continued assistance in facilitating the procurement and transit of petroleum products through the country.
The delegation also called for deeper collaboration to strengthen the existing partnership and improve petroleum transportation and supply arrangements.
Growing role in regional energy supply
Ghana’s increased share of Burkina Faso’s petroleum transit reflects a growing reliance on the country as a route for transporting fuel to the landlocked West African nation.
The rise from 15 per cent to 40 per cent within two years represents a significant expansion of Ghana’s role in the regional petroleum supply chain.
The development also creates potential opportunities for businesses involved in transportation, logistics and other services associated with petroleum transit.
However, the actual economic benefits to Ghana will depend on the volume of petroleum products transported, revenue generated from related services and the capacity of existing infrastructure to accommodate increased traffic.
Ghana and Burkina Faso seek stronger energy ties
Discussions between Mr Jinapor and the SONABHY delegation focused on improving cooperation in petroleum transportation and supply, strengthening regional energy relations and advancing shared priorities.
The engagement comes as both countries seek to deepen their collaboration in the movement of petroleum products and improve the arrangements supporting cross-border energy trade.
For Ghana, the growing share of Burkina Faso’s petroleum transit reinforces the country’s potential to serve as an important logistics hub for neighbouring countries without direct access to the sea.
Mr Jinapor said the meeting provided an opportunity to explore ways of strengthening the partnership and improving cooperation in the petroleum sector.
The engagement forms part of broader efforts to enhance regional energy collaboration, with the increasing use of Ghana’s transit routes offering a foundation for further cooperation between the two countries.
