ITFC, Djibouti sign $90m Murabah deal to secure energy supply 

The latest deal was signed between Djibouti’s Economy and Finance Minister Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh and ITFC CEO Hani Salem Sonbol. Supplied.
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Updated 13 February 2024
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ITFC, Djibouti sign $90m Murabah deal to secure energy supply 

RIYADH: The International Islamic Trade Finance Corp. has signed a $90 million Murabah agreement with Djibouti to secure energy supply through the import of petroleum products.

The International Hydrocarbons Co. of Djibouti, also known as SIHD, will serve as the executing agency.

ITFC, a member of the Islamic Development Bank, and the Republic of Djibouti have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with a total of $1.6 billion approved by the corporation in favor of the country, with 33 operations targeting the energy and health sectors.

The latest deal was signed between Djibouti’s Economy and Finance Minister Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh and ITFC CEO Hani Salem Sonbol.

“The financing facility aims to support SIHD’s mandate of securing energy supply through the importation of petroleum products that is essential for electricity generation to boost all the sectors of the economy,” said a press release issued on Tuesday. 

This initiative fosters intra-OIC trade, as the petroleum products will be sourced mainly from other member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

ITFC interventions in Djibouti reflect the commitment to supporting the country’s economy, starting with the energy sector and extending its positive impact to vital areas like services, manufacturing, and agriculture. This operation underlines ITFC’s commitment to fulfilling UN SDG 7, “Energy for All.”

Commenting on the agreement, ITFC CEO Sonbol stated: “This financing will promote positive impact on the level of human and economic development and is expected to further strengthen the strategic cooperation between ITFC and Djibouti in the energy sector.”

The agreement also aligns with the $600 million three-year framework agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and Djibouti.


Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, Samref ink deal to study Yanbu refinery upgrade

Updated 08 December 2025
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Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, Samref ink deal to study Yanbu refinery upgrade

RIYADH: Energy giants Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, and Samref have signed a venture framework agreement to upgrade the Yanbu refinery and expand it into an integrated petrochemical complex.

As a part of the deal, the companies will explore capital investments to upgrade and diversify production, including high-quality distillates that result in lower emissions and high-performance chemicals, according to a joint press statement.

The agreement will also see the parties explore opportunities to improve the refinery’s energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts from operations through an integrated emissions-reduction strategy.

Samref is an equally owned joint venture between Aramco and Mobil Yanbu Refining Co. Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corp.

The refinery currently has the capacity to process more than 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day, producing a diverse range of energy products, including propane, automotive diesel oil, marine heavy fuel oil, and sulfur.

“This next phase of Samref marks a step in our long-term strategic collaboration with ExxonMobil. Designed to increase the conversion of crude oil and petroleum liquids into high-value chemicals, this project reinforces our commitment to advancing Downstream value creation and our liquids-to-chemicals strategy,” said Aramco Downstream President, Mohammed Y. Al Qahtani.

He added that the deal will help position Samref as a key driver of the Kingdom’s petrochemical sector’s growth.

The press statement further said that companies will commence a preliminary front-end engineering and design phase for the proposed project, which would aim to maximize operational advantages, enhance Samref’s competitiveness, and help to meet growing demand for high-quality petrochemical products in Saudi Arabia.

The firms added that these plans are subject to market conditions, regulatory approvals, and final investment decisions by Aramco and ExxonMobil.

“We value our partnership with Aramco and our long history in Saudi Arabia. We look forward to evaluating this project, which aligns with our strategy to focus on investments that allow us to grow high-value products that meet society’s evolving energy needs and contribute to a lower-emission future,” said Jack Williams, senior vice president of Exxon Mobil Corp.