KEY POINTS
- Dangote Refinery plans to expand capacity from 650,000 to 1.4 million barrels per day within three years.
- The $20 billion complex will move from Euro V to Euro VI fuel standards, bolstering energy independence.
- Expansion to create 65,000 new jobs and position Nigeria as Africa’s refining hub.
Africa’s biggest refinery, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan that will more than double its current output.
The Lagos-based plant, which only began full operations this year, will raise its refining capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day within three years, cementing its place as the largest single-train refinery in the world.
Announcing the plan in Lagos on Sunday, Aliko Dangote, president and chief executive of Dangote Industries Limited, said the move underscores his belief in Nigeria’s economic potential and the continent’s energy future. “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,” he said.
Dangote explained that the refinery’s growth aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s industrial vision, which seeks to transform Nigeria into a leading exporter of refined petroleum products. He praised the government’s “Nigeria First Policy” and the “Naira-for-Crude” initiative, saying they have boosted investor confidence and encouraged large-scale industrial growth.
Refinery expansion to deepen local capacity
The expansion, according to Dangote, will significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel and strengthen energy security across the continent. It is also expected to save billions of dollars in foreign exchange while meeting rising demand for refined products in West and Central Africa.
Construction of new facilities at the sprawling Lekkí Free Zone complex will employ more than 65,000 workers, creating opportunities in engineering, logistics, and manufacturing. The refinery will also ramp up polypropylene production from 900,000 metric tonnes to 2.4 million tonnes per annum, supplying vital industrial inputs such as base oils and linear alkylbenzene used in detergents.
“With this expansion, the refinery will transition from producing Euro V to Euro VI fuel standards, meeting the highest global environmental benchmarks,” Dangote said. He added that power generation capacity at the site will also be expanded to ensure complete energy self-sufficiency.
Over 85 percent of the refinery’s current workforce are Nigerians, a point of pride for Dangote, who said the group continues to invest in training, safety, and sustainability. “Our goal has never been just to refine oil, but to refine opportunities for our people,” he said.
Dangote revealed plans to list the refinery and petrochemical complex on the Nigerian Exchange Limited within the next year, a move he said would encourage transparency and allow Nigerians to own a stake in the continent’s largest industrial venture.
He also assured the public of steady fuel supply during the festive season, despite global oil price volatility. “For the first time in many years, Nigerians can look forward to a festive season free of fuel anxiety,” he said.
Dangote thanked President Tinubu, the Federal and Lagos State Governments, and the company’s financial and technical partners for their support. “This expansion is not just about increasing capacity, it’s about confidence in our people, our country, and our continent,” he said.
