$40m Goil-SMB Bitumen Plant Operational

– It will transform infrastructure landscape in Ghana and sub region

Story: Daniel NONOR, ACCRA

A $40 MILLION African Bitumen Terminal and production plant set to transform the infrastructure landscape in Ghana and the wider West African region has been commissioned at the Tema industrial enclave.

The facility, with a production capacity of 7,500 metric tonnes is a joint venture between GOIL PLC and Société Multinationale de Bitumes (SMB) of Côte d’Ivoire.

The GOIL-SMB Bitumen Plant will process base bitumen from SMB and refine it into polymer-modified bitumen and bitumen emulsion, critical products for road construction and industrial development.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who commissioned the plant described the venture as a transformative milestone that strengthens the collaboration between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

The ceremony was graced by the Ivorian prime Minister Robert Beugre Mamabe

The President emphasised that with this facility, Ghana is poised to meet the increasing demand for high-quality bituminous products, reducing dependence on imports and opening doors to exports across the ECOWAS region.

“The GOIL-SMB Bitumen Plant will fully complement the government’s efforts in road construction,” the President said, adding that the plant will provide the polymer-modified bitumen needed for high-quality and durable roads, particularly under Ghana’s extreme weather conditions.

He noted that producing bitumen domestically will lower construction costs and improve the longevity of the country’s roads.

Beyond meeting domestic needs, the plant is expected to create export opportunities, offering bituminous products to the West African market.

The operations of the facility will include, the transfer of bitumen from tanker vehicles at the Oil Jetty to the terminal, serve as storage for AC 10 and AC 20 into dedicated tanks, production of Polymer Modified Bitumen, Production of Bitumen Emulsion, Laboratory testing for quality of products and distribution of products through bitumen bulk trucks.

President Nana Addo emphasized that the initiative reflects the spirit of regional integration and is a testament to the strength of partnerships within the ECOWAS community.

The President also praised the safety measures upheld during the construction phase of the plant, expressing gratitude to all stakeholders for maintaining a high standard of health and safety.

 He extended appreciation to the leadership of GOIL and SMB for their commitment to advancing Ghana’s petroleum and energy sectors, describing their collaboration as a “shining example” of mutually beneficial partnerships.

The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for industrial ventures, noting that projects like the GOIL-SMB Bitumen Plant are critical to the country’s economic growth, job creation, and self-reliance.

“This facility represents a milestone in our industrial development. It strengthens the foundation upon which we are building a future of regional integration and economic prosperity.”

The Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy Herbert Krapa praised the project as a monumental achievement for Ghana’s road sector and a crucial milestone in the nation’s energy and economic development.

“This Bitumen Plant is not only an achievement for the road sector, but it also opens up several sectors of our economy, particularly energy.”

He explained that the Bitumen Plant represents a significant leap forward for the energy sector, enabling existing local refineries to process a broader range of crude oils, including heavier grades.

This according to the Minister, aligns with Ghana’s National Energy Strategy, which aims to make the energy sector more resilient and adaptable to global market dynamics.

“With this Bitumen Plant, our petroleum product portfolio is about to open up,” the Minister stated.

He added that “Existing local refineries can now maximise their configurations to process a wider range of crude oils, including heavier grades, to meet the demand and specifications of this plant. This is in line with our national energy strategy.”

He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the facility, explaining that together with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), a regulatory framework had been developed to oversee the importation, storage, processing, and marketing of bitumen.

The Minister called for the Bitumen Plant to become a model of zero-carbon emissions, stressing that it must contribute to Ghana’s broader efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the coming years.

“Today, being responsible in our carbon emissions is no longer an option. We are seeing all the signs of a fast-warming globe, and we can’t wait any longer to take decisive action,” he stated.

The Minister urged the plant’s management to explore renewable energy sources and ensure energy efficiency in all operations.

He recommended using compressed natural gas for their transportation needs and developing

The Chief Executive Officer of GOIL,Dr  Kwame Osei Prempehof on his part highlighted the partnership with SMB of Côte d’Ivoire, which dates back to 2003, as part of GOIL’s mission to lower the cost of bitumen supply and increase competition in the sector.

The CEO also mentioned GOIL’s broader strategy to expand its business portfolio, which now includes aviation fuel, marine gas oil, mining diesel, LPG, and upstream exploration. He called for policies to ensure road contractors source bitumen locally, discouraging tax waivers for imported low-quality bitumen to protect Ghana’s market and generate revenue.