Emeka Umejei

Emeka.Umejei@lubesngreases.com

Recent Articles

Africa Ponders Biolubes Potential

Africa Ponders Biolubes Potential

An official from a biobased lubricants supplier expressed optimism for the potential growth of such products in Africa – …

Africa Lube Markets Have Potential

Africa Lube Markets Have Potential

JOHANNESBURG – The stabilizing global economy will result in lubricant demand remaining flat at around 40 million metric …

Will Naphthenics Replace Group I in Africa?

Will Naphthenics Replace Group I in Africa?

The shutdown of many API Group I base oil refineries across the world has lubricant blenders in Africa worried. One base …

Is Africa Ready to Give Up Group I?

Is Africa Ready to Give Up Group I?

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The global shift in base oil production away from API Group I will compel African blenders …

Nigeria Beefs Up Product Standards

Nigeria Beefs Up Product Standards

A recently signed law in Nigeria, the Standards Organization of Nigeria Act of 2015, puts more teeth in the governments …

Challenges & Prospects in East Africa

Challenges & Prospects in East Africa

The East African Community has enjoyed impressive economic growth in recent years. This has enabled countries in the reg …

Prospect Brightens for Base Oil in Nigeria

Prospect Brightens for Base Oil in Nigeria

Nigeria could soon welcome the return of local base oil production, thanks to rehabilitation work at a refinery in Kadun …

Africas Engine Oils Respond to Global Trends

Africas Engine Oils Respond to Global Trends

Observers agree that Africa will adopt higher grade engine oils in the near future because of the increasing presence of …

Tanzania Adds Tariff on Imported Base Oils

Tanzania Adds Tariff on Imported Base Oils

Tanzanias government introduced a 10 percent per gallon duty on base oils imported into Tanzania, with an additional 1.5 …

Africas Lubricant Supply Challenges

Africas Lubricant Supply Challenges

Sub-Saharan Africa is forecast for slow but steady growth in the next few years. But the continents inadequate infrastru …

Nigerian Blenders, Tanker Drivers at Odds

Nigerian Blenders, Tanker Drivers at Odds

A Nigerian union of tanker drivers recently raised charges for transportation of base oils, causing a tiff between drive …

Gulf Petrochem Sets Sight on East Africa

Gulf Petrochem Sets Sight on East Africa

United Arab Emirates-based Gulf Petrochem expanded into East Africa with its recent acquisition of Essar Petroleum East …

Nigerian Blenders Set Up Auto Test Centers

Nigerian Blenders Set Up Auto Test Centers

Nigeria has approved N2.4 billion (U.S. $11.6 million) to establish auto-testing centers to help ensure vehicle safety a …

Last Word

Last Word

Emeka Umejei reviews the challenges to Group II suppliers in Africa.

Panel: Group II Will Bring Challenges in Africa

Panel: Group II Will Bring Challenges in Africa

JOHANNESBURG – Sub-Saharan African lube blenders have been slow to switch to API Group II base stocks, but speakers at a …

Panel: Shift to Group II Difficult for Africa

Panel: Shift to Group II Difficult for Africa

JOHANNESBURG – African lube markets will resist shifting from API Group I to Group II base stocks because of formulation …

East African Blenders Hike Prices

East African Blenders Hike Prices

Some – but not all – lubricant blenders in East Africa are increasing finished product prices this month based on fluctu …

Kenolkobil, BP Mend Fences

Kenolkobil, BP Mend Fences

The stalemate obstructing the return of Castrol brand to the Kenya lubricants market has been resolved by an exclusive d …