Technology gaps in the crude oil refining sector of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are making it difficult for crude oil processing plants to achieve energy efficiency, produce high-quality products or adhere to international carbon emissions requirements. Although some African nations are investing in expanding and upgrading projects and/or capital-intensive grassroots facilities with modern distillation systems, the vast majority of the continent's refineries have simple configurations. The majority of Africa's refineries-which are largely topping/reforming plants-are more than 50 yr old. Their operators struggle with an unstable political climate, low refining complexity, low refinery utilization levels and increasing competition from larger and more complex refineries in Europe and the Middle East.
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