The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has ramped up daily production to 85% of its 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity, with expectations to hit full capacity within the next 30 days.
This means the refinery is currently refining 552,500 barrels per day, marking a significant step towards its goal of eliminating fuel imports into Nigeria and Africa.
Speaking to Reuters, Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Dangote Industries, confirmed that operations had reached 85% capacity, adding, “We can go 100% in 30 days.”
Earlier, a Dangote Group official told Reporters that full production was expected by mid-2025, but Edwin’s latest remarks suggest the $20 billion refinery is accelerating its timeline.
Despite its progress, officials have remained tight-lipped about the plant’s crude oil sources, as local supply from Nigeria has been limited. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) previously stated that the refinery requires up to 550,000 bpd from January to June 2025, urging Nigerian oil producers to meet their domestic crude supply obligations.
Competing on a Global Scale
Dangote Refinery, which began operations in January 2024, has already disrupted the European petroleum market, competing with refineries abroad despite initial crude supply challenges.
Chairman Aliko Dangote recently revealed that the refinery had sent two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco, underscoring its global ambitions.
“We are looking at all the markets right now,” Edwin added, signaling the refinery’s expansion plans beyond local supply.
A senior refinery official confirmed that increased production will significantly boost refined product availability.
“It is like someone who used to cook only half a pot of rice and now can cook a full pot. Everyone will be well-fed, and that’s exactly what will happen,” the official said.
However, it remains uncertain whether this development will lead to lower fuel prices at the distribution stage. Additionally, the refinery’s exact crude procurement strategy remains undisclosed.