Report on ECA contributions to the review of the World Bank regional study of petroleum supply and distribution in sub-saharan Africa

Abstract

Early in 1990 the World Bank had made preparations for commissioning a consultancy study of rationalization of petroleum supply and distribution in Sub-Saharan Africa. The main purpose of the study was to gain insights into, and make realistic estimates of the potential savings that could be gained if the 46 countries of the region were to collaborate in appropriate sub-regional groupings, to rationalize petroleum products supply and distribution arrangements and procedures now organized and conducted nationally at excessive cost. Rationalization measures, would among other things include, (a) bulk purchasing of the aggregate total of comparatively modest national requirements, (b) improving the operating efficiency of refineries run much below capacity to meet only national needs through bulk refining of subregional requirements, and (c) efficient sub-regional distribution arrangements.