Cote d’Ivoire celebrated a milestone in its clean energy journey as SAPET GAS, the nation’s first Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel to carry the Ivorian flag, completed its maiden voyage to the shores of Cote d’Ivoire.
Commissioned in May 2022 in Ulsan, South Korea, the 23,000 cubic meter vessel, costing CFA 26 billion, was received by key dignitaries, including Energy Minister Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly, Petroci Director General Vamissa Bamba, Sahara Group Executive Directors Temitope Shonubi and Wale Ajibade, SAPET Energy Chairman Kam SIE, SAPET Energy Managing Director Olayemi Odutola, Societe Ivoirienne de Raffinage Director General Soro Tiotioho, and Port-Bouët Mayor Dr. Sylvestre Emmou.
Enhancing Butane Access and Economic Growth
SAPET GAS is set to transform butane supply, availability, and distribution in Cote d’Ivoire, fostering economic development and improving the well-being of over 28 million Ivorians through access to cleaner fuel.
The vessel will also support LPG distribution to more than 50 million people in neighboring countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. The initiative aligns with the government’s butanisation policy, which subsidizes butane to reduce reliance on firewood.
Energy Minister Coulibaly noted that national butane consumption has risen from 150,000 metric tons in 2012 to 510,000 metric tons in 2021, reflecting a 14% annual growth rate. He praised the Petroci-Sahara partnership for its role in advancing this policy through the vessel’s dedicated butane imports.
Strategic Partnership and Infrastructure Investments
Temitope Shonubi of Sahara Group emphasized the vessel’s significance as a fulfillment of their commitment to Cote d’Ivoire’s energy transition. “SAPET GAS underscores our dedication to making clean energy accessible across Africa,” he stated.
The partnership between Sahara Group and Petroci, formalized as SAPET Energy in October 2020, has driven significant investments, including CFA 279 billion since 2014.
A key project is the construction of three butane storage spheres with a 12,000-ton capacity, initiated in 2020, which will extend the nation’s self-consumption capacity from 15 to 30 days. Vamissa Bamba highlighted that SAPET GAS ensures safe and high-quality butane supply, complementing these storage enhancements.
Regional and Global Context
Port-Bouët Mayor Dr. Sylvestre Emmou underscored the port’s role in supporting the maritime industry’s contribution to energy access.
SAPET GAS, named after the Petroci-Sahara joint venture, is expected to deliver approximately 1,000,000 tons of LPG to Cote d’Ivoire over the next three years, alongside other Sahara Group-affiliated vessels like Africa Gas, Sahara Gas, and Barumk. The 12,000-ton LPG storage facility under construction will further bolster regional supply chains.
Globally, investments in gas vessels are increasing, with 28 new medium and handy gas carriers projected over the next two years, 18% of which target Sub-Saharan Africa. The LPG market’s growth is driven by low per capita consumption, population growth, urbanization, and the shift from kerosene and biomass to cleaner fuels like LPG.
Strengthening Cote d’Ivoire’s Energy Future
The arrival of SAPET GAS marks a pivotal step in Cote d’Ivoire’s pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. By enhancing butane accessibility and supporting regional energy needs, the vessel and its associated infrastructure projects position Cote d’Ivoire as a leader in Africa’s clean energy transition.
