Business
Ghana begins construction of $12 bln petroleum hub
Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has broken ground on the construction of a 300,000 barrel-per-day oil refinery that the government hopes will turn the West African country into the region’s petroleum hub, but critics say the project is flawed.
Ghana, the world’s second biggest cocoa producer, became an oil producer in 2010. Output is currently around 132,000 bpd of crude oil and about 325 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas.
The project promises to be a cornerstone of our nation’s development,” Akufo-Addo said late on Monday at the site of the project in the southwestern city of Jomoro, which will also include petrochemical plants.
Phase one of the project, estimated to cost $12 billion, will be funded and constructed by a consortium of Touchstone Capital Group Holdings, UIC Energy Ghana, China Wuhan Engineering Co., and China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Co, he said on state-owned Ghana Television (GTV).
West Africa consumes about 800,000 bpd, according to the African Refiners and Distributors Association, of which almost 90% is imported.
The petroleum hub aims to supply enough refined and by-products to supply the region by 2036, according to an agreement signed in June 2018.
Not everyone is convinced by the plan, however.
Bright Simons, a vice president at Accra-based think tank, IMANI Africa, said the consortium behind the project “is not primed for investment (and) the project has no bankable business plan.”
“Our position is that this is a speculative attempt to grab a landbank for cheap,” he said.
Some residents of the hub’s proposed 20,000-acre site have protested the plans, demanding the project’s footprint be reduced to 5,000 acres.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a senior partner of the law firm representing some affected farmer cooperatives, said his clients would not stand down.
“The abrasive manner that the government is proceeding discounts valid concerns around the social and environmental impact of the project, the livelihoods at risk by the displacement of farmers and the unsettled questions of ownership and community land rights.”
Business
IMF to release January 2026 World Economic Outlook update on Monday
The January WEO Update is expected to provide revised global growth forecasts and insights into inflation trends, monetary policy direction, and key risks facing the global economy in 2026.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will release its January 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update on Monday, January 19, 2026.
The report will be presented during a press conference hosted at the National Bank of Belgium in Brussels.
The press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. The Brussels time and will be streamed live via the IMF website and Press Centre, allowing journalists to participate both in person and virtually.
The IMF’s economic assessment will be presented by Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, Economic Counselor and director of the Research Department; Petya Koeva Brooks, deputy director of the Research Department; and Deniz Igan, Division Chief, Research Department.
The January WEO Update is expected to provide revised global growth forecasts and insights into inflation trends, monetary policy direction, and key risks facing the global economy in 2026.
Business
Heineken boss resigns after ‘turbulent’ six-year stint
“I believe this is the right moment,” said Van den Brink, 52, after almost six years at the helm “during which he has guided the company through turbulent economic and political times”.
• Dolf Van den Brink
Dolf van den Brink said on Monday he would step down on May 31 as the chief executive of Dutch brewer Heineken.
Van den Brink unexpectedly announced his resignation, as the company grapples with lower beer sales and job cuts in a difficult economic environment.
“I believe this is the right moment,” said Van den Brink, 52, after almost six years at the helm “during which he has guided the company through turbulent economic and political times”.
The change of leader comes at a tricky moment for Heineken, the world’s second-largest brewer after AB InBev.
Its most recent quarterly results, published in October, showed a steep decline in the amount of beer sold, with Europe and the United States driving the drop.
Van den Brink acknowledged at the time that the firm was dealing with a “challenging environment, resulting in a mixed performance”.
Heineken posted total net sales of 7.3 billion euros ($8.5 billion) for the third quarter, down from 7.6 billion in the second quarter.
Business
Global oil reserves: Nigeria down to 11th position in latest rankings
According to report, Nigerian oil reserves haven’t grown significantly for years, failing to replace daily extraction.
Stagnation in Nigeria’s crude oil reserve for decades has placed the country to 11th position on the global rankings of oil producing countries.
The United States occupy the 10th position with 45 billion barrels of proven oil reserve.
Crude oil reserve data computed from OPEC’s Annual Statistical Bulletin 2025, reveals that Nigeria sits as the 11th country with 37.28 billion barrels proven oil reserve in the world.
Likewise, official figures from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) places it at 37.28 billion barrels as of January 2025.
In a report published recently by Visual Capitalist.com, Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, accounting for an estimated 303 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, the largest of any country.
These reserves account for roughly 17% of the global total, well ahead of Saudi Arabia 267 billion barrels ; Iran 209 billion barrels, Canada 163 billion barrels , and Iraq 113 billion barrels.
Chart credit: Visual capitalist.com
According to report, Nigerian oil reserves haven’t grown significantly for years, failing to replace daily extraction.
Oil theft, vandalism, and insecurity hinder efforts to reach full production potential.
Nevertheless, the NUPRC aims to boost reserves and production, with plans to attract investment for new exploration and development.
US military strikes in Nigeria killed 155 Lakurawa terrorists -Report
IMF to release January 2026 World Economic Outlook update on Monday
Odegbami predicts Super Eagles will defeat Morocco in semi-final clash
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Health2 days agoEuracare Hospital replies Chimamanda Adichie, Clarifying Nkanu’s Death
-
News3 days agoLASG Announces Traffic Diversion Tonight At Fadeyi, Ojuelegba Bridge
-
Crime2 days agoTragic: Husband’s Body Found Days After Wife’s Killing
-
Sports2 days agoSuper Eagles beat Algeria 2–0, Atiku,Obi applaud the team
-
Sports2 days agoAFCON 2025: Billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu promises Super Eagles Over USD1.5m if they win Semifinal
-
Health21 hours ago
Chimamanda Drags Euracare Hospital to Court Over Son’s Death
-
Crime3 days agoChimamanda Ngozi Adichie blames Euracare Hospital for son’s death
-
News2 days ago
Dr. Esege Nwandu Challenges Euracare Hospital’s Statement over Nephew’s Death