Sub-Saharan Africa Health and Refinery Sector Study kicks off

ICF International has been selected to carry out a health and refinery sector study that will assess the impacts of better fuel quality, particularly sulphur reduction in fuels, on urban air quality and public health in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Benefits accrued from improved fuel quality will be compared to the capital investments required by the region’s refineries to meet the enhanced fuel standards.

The study, which is expected to be completed by early next year, will be useful in informing the region’s decision making process on refinery options and optimal investments to promote public health and intra-regional trade. The World Bank will be leading the study in collaboration with the African Refiners Association (ARA), International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), CITAC, UNEP/PCFV and representatives from selected countries in the region. The study will be important to the PCFV work on sulphur reduction in the region.