Côte d’Ivoire has unveiled plans to significantly increase its oil, natural gas and electricity production over the next 14 years, as it seeks to strengthen its position as a major energy supplier across the sub-region.
The targets were outlined on Monday in Abidjan during the presentation of the Integrated Mineral Resources and Energy Policy (PIRME).
Director General of Hydrocarbons Bienvenu Esse said the country would draw on its substantial natural resources and planned infrastructure projects to develop the sector.
Côte d’Ivoire holds an estimated 5.3 billion barrels of oil and around five trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Under the policy, the government aims to raise oil and gas output while increasing electricity generation to meet domestic demand and supply neighbouring countries.
As part of the plans, the government intends to build a second refinery for the state-owned Société ivoirienne de raffinage (SIR) in San-Pedro, in the country’s south-west. The proposed facility will have an annual processing capacity of 6.1 million tonnes.
The policy also seeks to attract investment in mineral and petrochemical processing, positioning Côte d’Ivoire to play a greater role in the region’s energy and mineral industries.
