In a bold stride towards transforming Africa’s energy landscape, Nigerian billionaire and industrialist Aliko Dangote officially announced the historic expansion of the Dangote Refinery, a move set to place Nigeria at the forefront of global petroleum production. The refinery’s capacity will soar from 650,000 barrels per day to an unprecedented 1.44 million barrels per day, surpassing India’s Reliance Refinery to become the largest refinery in the world.
“This expansion is not just about numbers, it reflects our confidence in Nigeria’s future, our belief in Africa’s potential, and our unwavering commitment to building energy independence for our continent and the world,” Dangote said. “It is also a vote of confidence in the leadership of His Excellency, Mr. President, and in our collective capacity to shape our energy destiny.”
The expansion is anchored in a visionary policy to process all domestic crude oil locally and export only refined petroleum products, a transformative strategy aimed at reducing Nigeria’s import dependency and positioning the nation as a leading supplier of refined petroleum across Africa and beyond.
Dangote highlighted the wider economic impact of the expansion: “During the construction phase alone, over 65,000 workers will be engaged, while local industries will benefit immensely from supply chain opportunities. This project is about refining opportunities for our people, not just oil.”
Technological upgrades will accompany the expansion, including a polypropylene production increase from 900,000 metric tons to 2.4 million metric tons, production of linear alkyl benzene for detergents, and base oil output expansion. The refinery will transition to Euro 6 fuel standards, ensuring compliance with global environmental benchmarks. Power generation will also rise to 500 megawatts, and over 85% of the workforce will be Nigerian, reinforcing local capacity building and technology transfer.
“This is a historic moment,” Dangote emphasized. “For the first time, Nigerians can look forward to stable fuel supply and pricing, even during the peak ember months. The quality of our petroleum products has improved dramatically, supporting cleaner air, longer-lasting vehicles, and better health outcomes for our citizens.”
Beyond industrial growth, Dangote revealed plans to list the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, inviting citizens to participate directly in Africa’s energy revolution. “Our goal is to create value and wealth for Nigerians,” he said. “We want everyone to have the opportunity to own a part of this refinery and benefit from its dividends.”
The expansion reflects strong government support, with Dangote crediting the federal government, Lagos State authorities, security agencies, and relevant ministries for facilitating the project despite regulatory and operational challenges.
Looking beyond Nigeria, the refinery will serve regional markets in West, East, and Southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa, bolstering the continent’s energy security and reducing reliance on imported petroleum products.
Dangote concluded with a vision for Africa’s industrial future: “Together, we are building a stronger Nigeria and redefining what is possible for our continent. This refinery is not just an investment in oil; it is an investment in Africa’s future, in the skills of our people, and in the prosperity of generations to come.”
