The Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), surpassing its official nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd and marking a major milestone in the facility’s operational growth.
The achievement was recorded during a performance test conducted by the refinery’s process licensors, highlighting the facility’s ability to process additional crude feedstock while maintaining operational efficiency.
The refinery, owned by Aliko Dangote, is regarded as the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery and has continued to ramp up production since commencing fuel operations in 2024.
Speaking on the development, Devakumar Edwin, Vice President for Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, said the increase forms part of a broader expansion plan aimed at raising the refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day within the next 30 months.
According to Edwin, the expansion is expected to enhance Nigeria’s energy security, reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products, and strengthen the country’s position as a major regional and global refining hub.
He noted that the refinery’s long-term strategy extends beyond meeting domestic demand, with a focus on establishing a dominant presence in international refining markets.
Since beginning operations, the refinery has steadily increased production of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other petroleum products. It has emerged as a key supplier to both local and international markets, exporting refined products to several African countries as well as European destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands.
The facility has also supplied gasoline to the United States and aviation fuel to Saudi Arabia, reflecting its growing footprint in global energy markets.
Industry observers say the refinery has become increasingly important in supporting fuel supply stability across Africa, particularly amid disruptions in global energy markets linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
In April, the refinery was recognised as the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel, according to data published by S&P Global Commodity Insights.
The refinery has played a significant role in reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel, helping to conserve foreign exchange and supporting government efforts to maximize value from the country’s crude oil resources.
Its growing output has also attracted interest from international crude suppliers and commodity traders, with the refinery sourcing feedstock from both domestic and foreign producers to sustain rising production levels.
Looking ahead, Dangote has outlined plans to transform the facility into the world’s largest refinery by 2028 through a phased expansion to 1.4 million barrels per day.
The planned expansion is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, including increased industrial activity, job creation, improved trade balances, and enhanced supply of key industrial feedstocks.
In addition to refined fuels, the refinery is expected to strengthen downstream manufacturing through the production of materials such as polypropylene and Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB), which are widely used in packaging, detergents, and other consumer products.
The latest increase in processing capacity reinforces the refinery’s growing role in Nigeria’s industrial development strategy and its ambition to become a major force in the global energy sector.
