Africa’s largest oil refinery, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, has unveiled an ambitious plan to increase its crude oil refining capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to a staggering 1.4 million bpd — a move that could redefine Nigeria’s position in the global energy market.
The announcement was made on Friday by officials from the Dangote Group, who revealed that expansion plans are already underway to meet both domestic demand and export potential across Africa.
“The refinery is on track to become a global energy powerhouse,” said a company executive. “Our goal is to make Nigeria not just self-sufficient in refined products but also a key exporter to other markets.”
The refinery, located in Lekki, Lagos, currently refines multiple petroleum products including diesel, jet fuel, and petrol, and has already begun test runs for several key outputs.
Industry analysts believe that increasing production to 1.4 million bpd could drastically cut fuel importation, stabilize local prices, and boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
However, experts also warn that the expansion will require sustained access to crude supply, improved logistics, and government collaboration to maintain consistent output.
This development comes as global attention remains fixed on Nigeria’s energy reforms and the refinery’s potential to transform Africa’s oil and gas landscape.