Fuel consumption in 2025: Ghana records 7.45bn litres
In the bustling streets of Accra, the rhythm of life in 2025 was unmistakable—cars honking through traffic, generators humming in the background, and industries pushing forward despite challenges. Beneath it all flowed an invisible force: fuel.
By the end of the year, Ghana had consumed a staggering 7.45 billion litres of petroleum products. It wasn’t just a number—it was a story of growth, pressure, and a country demanding more energy than ever before.
Imports Surge as Demand Soars
When the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies released its full-year review in April 2026, one thing was clear: Ghana was leaning heavily on the outside world.
Fuel imports had surged dramatically—from 6.23 billion litres in 2024 to 8.71 billion litres in 2025, a jump of 36.7%.
Tankers arrived in steady succession at Ghana’s ports, carrying petrol, diesel, and LPG to meet the needs of a growing economy. From transport operators to small businesses, everyone seemed to need more fuel than the year before.
Refineries struggle to keep up
But while imports rose, something else was quietly slipping. Domestic refinery production declined by over 11%, a sign of deeper operational troubles. Local refineries, once seen as the backbone of Ghana’s fuel independence, struggled with disruptions that limited their output. The result? A widening gap between what Ghana could produce and what it needed—forcing even greater reliance on imports.
Exports rise across borders
Interestingly, Ghana wasn’t just consuming fuel—it was also redistributing it. Exports climbed by 25.5%, with fuel being re-exported to neighboring countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Togo.
Trucks loaded with petroleum products crossed borders daily, turning Ghana into a key supply hub within the region. Even as domestic demand surged, the country remained an important player in West Africa’s energy network.
Power Sector Drives Consumption Boom
The real driver behind the surge wasn’t just transport—it was power.
Electricity generation demands pushed fuel usage to extraordinary levels. Fuel oil consumption for power plants skyrocketed by over 946%, while gasoil usage for power generation jumped by 184%.
Behind every lit bulb and running factory was an increasing dependence on petroleum-based energy—highlighting both growth and vulnerability.
Petrol and Diesel Still Rule the Roads
Despite shifts in the energy mix, some things remained constant.
Petrol and diesel continued to dominate Ghana’s fuel consumption:
Petrol reached 3.10 billion litres
Diesel climbed to 2.76 billion litres
From trotro drivers navigating city traffic to long-haul trucks connecting regions, these fuels powered the everyday movement of the nation.
Meanwhile, LPG consumption also grew steadily, signaling gradual adoption for cooking and commercial use.
Winners and Losers in the Market
Behind the scenes, competition among oil marketing companies intensified.
Star Oil emerged as the market leader, slightly ahead of GOIL PLC.
Some companies surged ahead with rapid growth, while others—like TotalEnergies and Puma Energy—faced declines.
In the LPG space, Annandale Ghana held the top spot, followed closely by competitors in an increasingly competitive market. Regional Growth Tells a Mixed Story
Across Ghana, fuel consumption painted a varied picture.
The Upper East Region recorded the fastest growth, followed by strong increases in Brong Ahafo Region and Ashanti Region.
But not all regions kept pace. The Upper West Region and Northern Region saw declines—an indication that growth was uneven and momentum fragile in some areas.
The Hidden Cost: Lost Fuel and Revenue
Amid the growth, a troubling figure emerged.
An estimated 199.56 million litres of petroleum products went unaccounted for—about 2.1% of total supply.
This wasn’t just a logistical issue; it translated into a revenue loss of over GHS 620 million in taxes and levies. Somewhere along the supply chain, inefficiencies—and possibly leakages—were costing the nation dearly.
A sector under pressure
By the close of 2025, Ghana’s petroleum story was one of momentum and strain.
Demand was rising—driven by transport, industry, and power generation. Yet challenges persisted: declining local production, distribution inefficiencies, and growing dependence on imports.
As the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies concluded, the sector stood at a critical point. Ghana wasn’t slowing down. But the question lingered in the background of every statistic and every litre consumed:
How long could the system keep up?
