Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has launched a six-month pilot of a 24-hour economy within the petroleum downstream sector. This initiative aims to reduce fuel supply bottlenecks and create new jobs. The pilot began in Accra on Tuesday, May 14, 2026.
The programme will operate across 268 fuel retail outlets, eight fuel depots and two refineries. These facilities are located in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western, and Northern Regions. The extended hours are expected to tackle longstanding inefficiencies that limit Ghana’s productive capacity.
This pilot is a key part of Ghana’s broader economic strategy to boost productivity and efficiency. Fuel supply is crucial for many economic activities, such as agro-processing, manufacturing, logistics, and export trade. The current system, with depots closing early, creates long periods where productive sectors cannot expand. This restricts economic growth across various industries.
Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, explained the importance of the pilot. He said, “When a depot closes at six in the evening and the next loading slot is at eight in the morning, that is fourteen hours in which the productive economy above it cannot expand.” The NPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, stated this initiative represents a bold shift. It aims to restructure productivity and unlock economic potential in the petroleum downstream industry.
The pilot programme will test whether longer operational hours can reduce fuel shortages and shorten transit times. It will also assess if night-time fuel availability improves along major economic routes like Accra-Kumasi and Accra-Tamale. A steering committee from the NPA and the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat will supervise the programme. They will monitor economic performance, operational efficiency, labour outcomes, and safety compliance until November 2026.
If successful, this pilot could pave the way for similar round-the-clock operations in other sectors. These include manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, ports, and export-oriented industries. The government expects challenges but remains committed to addressing them, as assured by Mr. Richard Gyan-Mensah, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition. Global experience shows that 24-hour economies benefit from improved logistics, reduced congestion, higher revenues, and increased employment.
The current pilot includes bulk storage depots, refinery gantries, LPG stations, and retail fuel outlets. Participating facilities include the Tema Oil Refinery and Sentuo Oil Refinery, along with depots operated by BOST and other companies. Safety and security are central to implementation, with close collaboration planned with National Security, the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana National Fire Service. All facilities must operate under the highest safety standards. This broad participation and rigorous oversight aim to ensure a successful and sustainable transition to extended operational hours.