Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced the commencement of a major expansion project that will more than double the processing capacity of the Dangote Refinery from 650,000 barrels per day (BPD) to 1.4 million BPD, positioning it as the largest oil refinery in the world.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the refinery complex in Lekki, Lagos, on Sunday, Dangote confirmed that work had officially begun on the expansion phase, which he described as a bold vote of confidence in Nigeria’s industrial future and in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
World’s Largest Refinery in the Making
The expansion, once completed, will surpass India’s Jamnagar Refinery—currently the world’s largest single-train refinery—making Nigeria a key player in global oil refining and petrochemical markets.
“This expansion is about confidence — confidence in Nigeria, in Africa, and in our ability to shape our own energy destiny,” Dangote declared. “Our aim is to ensure energy security, reduce import dependence, and position Nigeria as a net exporter of refined petroleum products.”
He added that the refinery’s capacity boost would further reduce the nation’s reliance on imported fuel, saving billions of dollars in foreign exchange and creating massive employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Massive Job Creation and Economic Impact
According to Dangote, the expansion phase will employ over 65,000 workers during construction and open up opportunities for local industries across the engineering, logistics, manufacturing, and service sectors.
“The project will not only transform Nigeria’s refining capacity but also unlock the potential of our local industries,” he explained. “We are building the capacity, skills, and technology base that Africa needs to manage and operate world-class infrastructure.”
Petrochemical and Power Upgrades
As part of the upgrade, the refinery’s polypropylene output will increase from 900,000 metric tonnes to 2.4 million metric tonnes per annum, while production of linear alkylbenzene (a key ingredient in detergents), base oils, and other petrochemical derivatives will be significantly scaled up.
The refinery will also transition from Euro V to Euro VI fuel standards — the highest global environmental benchmark — ensuring cleaner emissions and better fuel quality. Dangote disclosed that the facility’s power generation capacity is being expanded to make it fully energy self-sufficient.
Strong Support from Government and Partners
Dangote commended President Tinubu and the Federal Government for their unwavering support through progressive industrial policies such as the Nigeria’s First Policy, Naira-for-Crude Initiative, and the One-Stop Shop Framework that simplifies regulatory approvals for investors.
“These policy interventions have created the confidence required to move into this phase of expansion,” he noted. “The President’s vision for an industrial and energy-secure Nigeria is what gives us the strength to keep investing at this scale.”
He also expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment for their collaboration and institutional backing.
Listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange
In a significant step toward broad-based ownership and transparency, Dangote revealed that 10 percent of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex would be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX) within the next year.
“This will allow Nigerians from all walks of life to become part of the Dangote energy story,” he said. “We believe in inclusive growth and transparency, and this listing will promote both.”
He invited global financiers, crude suppliers, and technical partners to collaborate as the refinery transitions into Africa’s leading integrated energy and petrochemical hub.
Commitment to Local Workforce and Sustainability
Dangote emphasized that more than 85 percent of the refinery’s workforce would be Nigerian, reflecting his group’s strong commitment to local content development, technology transfer, and sustainability.
“Our goal has never been just to refine oil, but to refine opportunities for our people,” he said. “We are investing heavily in training, research, and environmental stewardship so that this refinery stands as a model for industrial excellence.”
He assured that the Dangote Group continues to prioritize health, safety, and environmental compliance as part of its corporate responsibility ethos.
Assurance of Fuel Supply During Festive Season
Addressing Nigerians’ perennial concerns about fuel shortages during the festive period, Dangote assured that the refinery is fully prepared to maintain an uninterrupted supply of petrol and other refined products throughout the ember months and beyond.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the Dangote Refinery is committed to ensuring a stable and adequate supply of petrol during the festive season,” he stated. “For the first time in many years, Nigerians can look forward to a Christmas and New Year without fuel queues or price hikes.”
Dangote said that despite recent global oil market volatility, the refinery has built sufficient storage and distribution capacity to guarantee domestic fuel stability, adding that supply chains have been optimized to ensure continuous flow across the country.
A Boost to Africa’s Energy Future
With the refinery’s full expansion, Nigeria will join the ranks of the world’s top energy producers capable of meeting both domestic demand and international export obligations.
“This project is not just about Nigeria,” Dangote said. “It is about Africa’s place in the global energy equation. We want to ensure that African crude is refined in Africa for African growth.”
He reiterated that the project aligns perfectly with President Tinubu’s goal of turning Nigeria into Africa’s refining capital, capable of supplying refined petroleum products to the West African sub-region and beyond.
A New Phase of Industrialisation
The industrialist emphasized that the expansion was part of a broader vision to catalyse economic growth, reduce unemployment, and diversify Nigeria’s economy away from crude exports toward high-value manufacturing.
“Industrialisation is the path to sustainable development,” Dangote said. “Through this refinery and its expansion, we are creating the foundation for a truly self-reliant, globally competitive Nigeria.”
He also reaffirmed that the refinery would serve as a training ground for young engineers, scientists, and technicians, many of whom are being trained in partnership with international energy institutes.
Acknowledgment and Call for Collaboration
Dangote expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government, Lagos State, financial partners, the Lekki Free Zone community, and the refinery’s workforce for their steadfast support and dedication.
He also extended a hand of cooperation to other refinery license holders and energy entrepreneurs to join in realizing the President’s vision of transforming Nigeria into a global refining hub.
“This is not just a Dangote project,” he said. “It is a Nigerian project. It is an African project. We invite everyone — investors, innovators, and citizens — to be part of this transformation story.”
A Future Defined by Energy Independence
As Nigeria continues to grapple with fluctuating fuel import costs and forex constraints, the Dangote Refinery’s expansion signals a turning point for the nation’s energy independence.
With the new capacity, experts estimate that the refinery could not only meet Nigeria’s entire fuel demand but also export refined products across Africa, earning valuable foreign exchange and boosting national revenue.
In conclusion, Dangote reaffirmed his company’s long-term commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth through industrial innovation, sustainable infrastructure, and global competitiveness.
“The road to progress is built by those who believe in their country,” Dangote concluded. “We believe in Nigeria. We believe in Africa. And we will keep building — for this generation and the next.”
