SONARA : Production Units To Restart In 2027

Plans to fast-track the restructuring and reconstruction of the National Oil Refining Company (SONARA) are afoot with the adoption of measures to accelerate activities at SONARA within 24 months. The action plan dubbed PARRAS 24 was adopted on August 13, 2025 during the company’s 139th Board of Directors meeting chaired by Dr. Bertha Ndoh Bakata. 
According to a press release issued at the end of the Board session, SONARA’s restructuring, reconstruction/rehabilitation plan is expected to begin from January 2026 with the ultimate goal to restart its production unit in 2027. “The PARRAS 24 initiative is an acceleration measure of the restructuring, reconstruction/rehabilitation plan of SONARA based on three essential aspects, the ultimate goal being the restart of its production unit in 2027, with full support from the public authorities,” the release reads. The initiative outlines three main aspects which when implemented, would fast-tract the reconstruction drive of the company ravaged by fire in 2019.
On the financial aspect, SONARA intends to recapitalize its equity and establish a financing plan for the project through a new business plan. On the technical aspect, the PARRAS 24 envisages the rehabilitation of the production units based on the prior May 31, 2019 fire incident. Meanwhile, on the organizational aspect, the company will define and implement a work-force plan aimed at upgrading staff competencies for a better output. The outcome of the recent Board of Directors meeting is a strategic response to the conclusions of the preliminary evaluation report of the site installation by the firm EKIUM, whose findings favour the partial restoration of SONARA under the operating conditions before the unfortunate fire incident. 
Accordingly, the release adds that the PARRAS 24 is intended to be a strong signal and positive indicator to the local population and international partners of the irreversible momentu...