Zambia Plans $1.1B Ndola Oil Refinery To Cut Fuel Imports

Zambia has signed a $1.1 billion agreement with China's Fujian Xiang Xin Corporation to develop a crude oil refinery and energy complex in Ndola, Copperbelt Province. The facility will process approximately 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, enough to meet Zambia's entire domestic fuel demand and generate surplus for export to neighboring countries. Crude oil will be imported from the Middle East via Tanzania's Dar es Salaam port, with construction expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025 and commercial operations planned for 2026. Beyond fuel refining, the complex will include liquefied petroleum gas bottling, bitumen production, lubricant blending, and a 130-megawatt power plant, enhancing Zambia's energy and industrial capacity. The project aims to save Zambia millions annually by reducing reliance on fuel imports and complements Zambia's equity stake in Angola's Lobito refinery project, which is projected to process up to 200,000 barrels per day once completed.