Gapuma Ghana Limited at WAMPEX 2026
8 June 2026 Last week we joined West Africa’s mining and power community in Accra for WAMPEX 2026, and we did so in force. WAMPEX – the West African Mining & Power Exhibition – is the region’s largest and longest-running event of its kind, running for over three decades. This year’s 19th edition, held from 3 to 5 June at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, brought together more than 6,000 mining professionals and over 250 exhibitors from 20 countries, all under the theme: “How Can Responsible Mining and Power Accelerate West Africa’s Sustainable Development?” It matters because West Africa is now central to the global mineral conversation – gold, bauxite, iron ore, manganese and lithium among them – and WAMPEX compresses months of sourcing, supplier discovery and high-level networking into three focused days. For a supply and trading partner like Gapuma, that is the room to be in. We were proud to send a strong delegation from across the Gapuma Group, including: Kishor Ubrani – Managing Director, Gapuma Ghana Limited Shiko Ghosh – CEO, Gapuma Ghana Limited Viveck Dutt Obert Chukwature Dheeren Panjwani Raj Thakkar – Procurement Consultant, Gapuma Group Ash Unadkat – Quality Manager, Gapuma Group Thank you to the organisers, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and everyone who stopped by our stand. Here’s to the partnerships that move the sector forward.
A New Chapter in Ghana: Welcoming Shiko Ghosh as CEO of Gapuma Ghana Limited
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Shiko Ghosh as Chief Executive Officer of Gapuma Ghana Limited. Shiko steps into the role at an important moment for our operations in Ghana, a country woven into Gapuma’s story from the very beginning. He will work under Kishor Ubrani, who continues as Managing Director, and together they will lead the next chapter of our presence in one of West Africa’s most dynamic markets. To mark the occasion, we are sharing a short film – the first of three over the coming days – introducing Shiko and the vision he brings to the role. Welcome aboard, Shiko. We are glad to have you with us.
Ghana: Where it all began, and where we headed next
There are companies that arrive in a market, and there are companies that were born in one. For Gapuma Group, Ghana is the latter. When our founder, Jack Bardakjian, started the business in 1999, the very first trade was in Ghana – a decision he took, in his own words, “against all the advice and all the predictions.” Twenty-six years on, that instinct has become the foundation of everything we are: an international commodities group sourcing from more than thirty countries and delivering to over fifty, with an active in-country presence in West Africa that traces directly back to where we began. So when Ash Unadkat, our Office and Quality Manager, made his first overseas trip on behalf of the company this month – accompanied by our Procurement Consultant, Raj Thakkar – it was no accident that the destination was Accra. You return to your roots when you want to grow. The timing could hardly be richer. Ghana stands at a genuinely interesting moment. The 24-hour economy initiative, the Accra–Kumasi Expressway, and continued development across the gold, oil, energy, cocoa, and financial sectors are reshaping the commercial landscape – the same sectors that have anchored the bilateral relationship between Ghana and the United Kingdom for generations. That relationship runs deep. Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African nation to win independence from colonial rule, in March 1957 – a milestone that made it a trailblazer for a continent. The bonds forged since, in language, trade, the Commonwealth, and a vast and vibrant diaspora, remain among the closest the UK holds anywhere in Africa. Our London-based Ghanaian colleague, Yannick Annor, captured that spirit beautifully after meeting the President of the Republic of Ghana in London on 31 May. He wrote of a diaspora encouraged to return, invest, and bring their knowledge home – and of his own reasons, as a French-Ghanaian, for choosing the UK precisely because it kept him close to Ghana. “We all have a role to play in shaping the future of our country,” he said. We could not agree more, and we are proud to play our small part. And then there is the football. In exactly twenty days, on 23 June, the Black Stars meet England at Gillette Stadium in their first-ever competitive fixture between the two nations. Whatever the scoreline, there is something fitting about it: two countries bound by history, meeting on the world’s biggest stage, just as one of them welcomes us back to where our story started. From a single trade in 1999 to a quarter-century of partnership – Ghana, it has always been you. 🇬🇭
GLB Building Lubricants Partnerships at WAAS 2026
14 May 2026 This week, Thompson Longe, Akash Suhanda, led by Prakash Ramchandani – Managing Director of GLB Chemical Services Limited, Gapuma’s Nigerian subsidiary – attended the 2026 West Africa Automotive Show (WAAS), a three-day exhibition held in Lagos. Africa’s largest automotive aftermarket trade show, WAAS is organised by BtoB Events and held at the Landmark Centre. More than 350 exhibitors took part, with over 6,000 visitors expected from across West Africa. The show brought together importers, distributors and manufacturers showcasing products across auto parts, lubricants, tyres, batteries, heavy machinery, and mobility solutions. It has evolved into a strategic business platform for the region’s automotive sector, with networking opportunities described as unique – distributors, importers and suppliers all under one roof. Our team used the occasion to meet both overseas and local lubricants manufacturers, advancing conversations around Chevron Oronite and Chevron Base Oil business and strengthening existing relationships. Attendees included pre-vetted importers and distributors from across the region, spanning Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Senegal, Cameroon and beyond. Topics on the table included opportunities in local manufacturing, spare parts distribution, lubricants and mobility solutions across West Africa. A conference running alongside the exhibition featured over 50 experts sharing insights on technology, policy and strategy. Nigeria remains a market of enormous significance. It is Africa’s largest importer of automotive spare parts, bringing in over $5 billion each year. Events like WAAS are where relationships are built and business gets done. Great to be part of it. 🤝
Gapuma Group at Argus Global Base Oils 2026
5 February 2026 This week, Gapuma Group attended the Argus Global Base Oils Conference in London –a premier gathering of over 400 key decision-makers from across the international base oils and lubricants value chain. Group Managing Director Jack Bardakjian led our delegation, and was joined on Wednesday by the Senior Leadership Team from GLB Chemical Services Limited, our Nigerian subsidiary: Prakash Ramchandani (Managing Director), Thompson Longe (Technical Sales), and Akash Suhanda (Commercial Sales). The three-day conference brought together industry heavyweights including Chevron, Chevron Oronite, TotalEnergies, Lubrizol, Yunigreen, and Orlen Oil – providing invaluable face-to-face opportunities to strengthen partnerships, explore market trends, and align on our strategic vision for West Africa and beyond. These moments of direct collaboration – sharing insights, challenging assumptions, and building relationships – are what drive our continued growth in the base oils sector and reinforce our commitment to delivering exceptional value across our global markets. Building the future of base oils together.
Nigeria’s Energy Transformation: Market Competition Drives Policy Shift
5th November 2025 Nigeria is signalling its willingness to sell state-owned refineries as the government seeks to stimulate competition in the downstream sector—marking a notable shift in the country’s broader energy strategy. The development follows President Tinubu’s approval of a 15% import duty on refined petroleum products, aimed at safeguarding recent multi-billion-dollar investments in domestic refining. The Dangote Refinery now reports production of more than 45 million litres of petrol and 25 million litres of diesel per day, surpassing Nigeria’s internal consumption requirements. A Strategic CrossroadsThe Nigerian National Petroleum Company’s four state-owned refineries—despite a combined capacity of 445,000 barrels per day—have processed virtually no crude for decades, even after billions were allocated for repairs. Key stakeholders, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association, are calling for full privatisation to enhance efficiency and reduce recurrent government expenditure. Critics argue that the state-owned facilities remain “a pure drain on the Nigerian economy”, stressing that private management would curb corruption, ensure accountability, and foster healthy competition with the Dangote operation. The Monopoly DebateFuel traders caution that, if mismanaged, the new tariff regime could stifle fuel imports and create a de facto refining monopoly—potentially exposing Nigeria to fresh rounds of fuel scarcity. Policymakers therefore face the delicate task of protecting domestic refiners while preserving competitive dynamics in the market. For Gapuma Group, which operates extensively across West Africa’s energy landscape, this policy shift highlights the scale and speed of transformation within Nigeria’s downstream sector—presenting both opportunities and complexities for regional fuel trading and logistics. The outcome of Nigeria’s privatisation debate will shape energy flows across West Africa for generations.
Côte d’Ivoire at the Polls: Stability or Stagnation?
21st October 2025 As Côte d’Ivoire approaches a decisive presidential election, the stakes for regional trade and investment are considerable. President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term — unprecedented and heavily contested — has heightened political tensions in a country long regarded as West Africa’s model of post-conflict stability. For investors and commodities traders, Côte d’Ivoire represents far more than electoral drama. It is a critical hub in global supply chains: the world’s leading cocoa producer, a major source of cashews, and an increasingly influential player in hydrocarbons and fertiliser imports. Continuity in governance may offer short-term predictability, yet underlying institutional fatigue and democratic strain have the potential to challenge that stability, dampen long-term investment appetite, and raise borrowing costs across the region. At Gapuma Group, our engagement with African markets is shaped by a clear principle: sustainable commerce relies on political credibility. Côte d’Ivoire’s next chapter will shape not only its democratic future but also the confidence of global markets that depend on its exports.
Strengthening Ties in West Africa: A Strategic Visit to Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana
22nd July 2025 Gapuma Group Managing Director, Jack Bardakjian, recently completed a high-level visit to two of our key West African markets — Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana — accompanied by our Senior Biofuels Trader, Rafael Fraletti. The visit reaffirmed our long-standing commitment to building sustainable partnerships, supporting local infrastructure, and reinforcing operational excellence in the region. As our global portfolio evolves in line with the energy transition, West Africa is playing an increasingly vital role in our biofuels and logistics strategy. With Rafael based in Gapuma’s Swiss Office — the nerve centre of our biofuels operation — this mission combined executive leadership with commercial expertise on the ground. From strategic meetings with clients to warehouse visits in Abidjan and Accra, the trip served to deepen relationships, assess new opportunities, and ensure our growth remains aligned with local realities and regional ambitions. These in-person engagements also reflect Gapuma’s operational philosophy: that reliability in global supply chains is built not just on trade routes and systems, but on trust, presence, and long-term commitment. By maintaining close contact with partners across West Africa, we continue to enhance the resilience of our operations — from Geneva to Ghana, and every step in between. As the world shifts toward cleaner, more responsible energy sources, Gapuma remains at the forefront of ethical trading and sustainable innovation. This visit marks another meaningful milestone in our shared journey toward a smarter, more inclusive global energy future.
A Journey of Trust and Growth: Yanish’s 10 Years with Gapuma
This month marks a significant milestone for Gapuma Group as we celebrate the tenth anniversary of our highly valued Business Development Manager, Yanish Bhageerutty. Since joining Gapuma in 2015, Yanish has made major contributions to the company’s commercial success, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. From Pharmaceuticals to Pan-African Trade Yanish’s journey to Gapuma has been both unconventional and inspiring. Coming from a background in pharmaceuticals, he quickly adapted to the intricacies of the African mining and industrial sectors, demonstrating a strong capacity for learning and applying new knowledge. His flexibility, commitment, and customer-focused approach have made him a vital contributor to Gapuma’s sustained growth. Supporting Growth and Building Relationships in West Africa Throughout his time at Gapuma, Yanish has been instrumental in strengthening the company’s brand and commercial volume across key West African markets. In Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana especially, his dedication to building strong, lasting relationships with clients and partners has played a crucial role in expanding Gapuma’s footprint. His in-depth knowledge of customer needs and market dynamics has helped shape Gapuma’s approach in these regions, ensuring responsiveness, trust, and mutual success. Engaging with Regional Opportunities In addition to his day-to-day contributions, Yanish has represented Gapuma at important regional events and forums, helping to build the company’s visibility and reputation as a trusted and forward-looking partner. His understanding of emerging opportunities, including major economic developments across West Africa, continues to inform Gapuma’s growth strategies. A Decade of Dedication and Contribution Over the past decade, Yanish Bhageerutty has been a key member of Gapuma’s journey in West Africa, bringing dedication, insight, and professionalism to every initiative he has been part of. His efforts have helped strengthen Gapuma’s position as a respected and reliable partner across the region. As we mark this anniversary, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Yanish for his outstanding contributions and look forward to seeing his continued impact in the years ahead.