Africa’s largest oil refinery, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, is set for a major expansion that will more than double its production capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (BPD) to 1.4 million BPD within the next three years.
Once completed, the refinery will become the largest in the world, signalling a significant step toward energy independence for Nigeria and the African continent.
The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Ltd., Alhaji Aliko Dangote, announced the development on Sunday in Lagos, describing it as an expression of confidence in Nigeria’s future and Africa’s potential.
“This expansion reflects our confidence in Nigeria’s future, our belief in Africa’s potential, and our commitment to building energy independence for our continent and the world,” Dangote said.
Supporting Nigeria’s Energy Vision
He said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s aspiration to position Nigeria as a global supplier of petroleum products. Dangote praised the government for policies such as the Nigeria First Policy, the Naira-for-Crude initiative, and the introduction of a one-stop investment centre, which he said have stimulated industrial growth and boosted investor confidence.
Dangote noted that the expansion will help meet rising regional fuel demand, reduce dependence on imports, save billions in foreign exchange, and enhance national energy security.
He also revealed that construction of the new facilities will create over 65,000 jobs, expanding opportunities for local industries and strengthening Africa’s capacity to execute world-class infrastructure projects.
Broader Industrial and Environmental Gains
Beyond refining, the company plans to increase polypropylene output from 900,000 metric tonnes to 2.4 million metric tonnes annually. This will support domestic industries involved in the production of detergent chemicals such as linear alkylbenzene and essential base oils.
“With this expansion, the refinery will shift from Euro V to Euro VI fuel standards, complying with the world’s highest environmental requirements,” Dangote stated. He added that power generation capacity will also be upgraded to ensure full operational self-sufficiency.
More than 85 per cent of the refinery’s workforce are Nigerians, he said, with ongoing investment in training, safety, sustainability, and technology transfer.
“Our goal has never been just to refine oil, but to refine opportunities for our people,” he added.
Plans for Public Listing and Festive Season Fuel Assurance
Dangote announced that the refinery and petrochemical complex will be listed on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. within the next year to promote transparency and broaden ownership.
He also assured Nigerians of uninterrupted fuel supply during the festive season, despite rising global oil prices.
“For the first time in many years, Nigerians can look forward to a festive season free of fuel anxiety,” he said.
A Vision for Africa’s Future
Dangote expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the federal and Lagos State governments, the Lekki host community, financial partners, and the refinery’s workforce.
“This expansion is not just about increasing capacity; it is about confidence in our people, our country, and our continent,” he said.
He called on other refinery licence holders to work together to achieve Nigeria’s goal of becoming Africa’s refining hub, stating, “When Africa builds its own capacity, it builds its own destiny.”
