Africa-Press. The Dangote refinery in Nigeria has achieved a new milestone by raising its crude oil processing rate to over 700,000 barrels per day during an operational test, surpassing its design capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. This step reflects the accelerating expansion of the largest oil refinery in Africa.
The Vice President of the Dangote Group for the oil and gas sector, Devakumar Edwin, stated that this achievement is part of a broader plan aimed at increasing refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day within approximately 30 months, potentially making the facility one of the largest refineries in the world in terms of production capacity.
Since the start of commercial production in 2024, the refinery has boosted the production of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, becoming a primary supplier to Nigerian and African markets, while also expanding its exports to Europe, the United States, and Saudi Arabia.
This production surge comes at a time when global energy markets are experiencing disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, prompting many African countries to seek more stable regional sources of fuel. The refinery’s exports rose from about 168,000 barrels per day in February to 353,000 barrels per day in April, before declining to 285,000 barrels per day in May, with nearly half of the exports heading to African markets.
The refinery management recently announced that it also has a significant surplus of jet fuel, allowing it to become a global supplier of this material amid shortages in some international markets.
Analysts believe that the refinery’s success in exceeding its design capacity is an indicator of Nigeria’s shift from being a major fuel importer to a regional hub for oil refining and petroleum product exports, which carries significant economic implications for Nigeria and the African continent as a whole.
