The Ndola Oil Refinery is a planned development following Zambia’s signing of a landmark agreement to establish a $1.1 billion Ndola Crude Oil Refinery and Energy Complex in the Copperbelt city of Ndola.
The project aims to create a modern facility capable of processing 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, a level expected to fully meet Zambia’s domestic fuel demand while generating surplus volumes for export to neighbouring countries, according to Reuters. Once completed, the refinery is set to enhance national energy security, reduce fuel import reliance, and position Ndola as an emerging regional hub for petroleum production. The project is follwoing the trend of other African countries developing crude oil refineries to reduce reliance on imports of refined products.
Also read: Mozambique and Zambia to Construct $1.5 Billion Beira-Ndola Pipeline
Ndola Crude Oil Refinery and Energy Complex Project Factsheet
Project name: Ndola Crude Oil Refinery and Energy Complex
Location: it is located in Ndola, Copperbelt Province, Zambia
Cost: approximately $1.1 billion
Developers:
- Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). This is Zambia’s state-owned investment company
- Fujian Xiang Xin Corporation (FJXX) of China
Targeted completion/first phase of commercial operations: 2026
Crude oil processing capacity: it will have a capacity of approximately 60,000 barrels per day (bpd). This is equivalent to 3 million tonnes per year.
Products: other than refined fuels, the complex will include units for:
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling
- Bitumen production
- Lubricants blending
- A 130-megawatt power plant
Significance: according to a government statement, the project is of significance as it could save Zambia millions of dollars annually by cutting the country’s reliance on fuel imports.
Construction Start Date
Construction of the energy facility is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025. Additionally, the first phase of commercial operations is slated for 2026.
Furthermore, the agreement was signed between Zambia’s state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and China’s Fujian Xiang Xin Corporation. According to, an IDC spokesperson crude oil will be acquired from the Middle East and imported via Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port.
Lastly, other than fuel refining, the upcoming energy complex will include infrastructure for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottling and bitumen production. Also, it will have facilities for lubricant blending, and a 130-megawatt power plant. This energy complex will boost Zambia’s broader energy and industrial capacity.
Also read: Zambia’s $900 Million Coal-fired Power Plant Plans Unveiled as the Country Faces Power Crisis
