Dangote Confirms Massive Refinery Expansion to 1.4 Million Barrels Daily, Assures Nigerians of Fuel Stability
Days after reports emerged about the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s plans to scale up its processing capacity, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has officially confirmed that the expansion project is now underway.
Speaking to journalists at the refinery site in Lagos on Sunday, Dangote revealed that work has commenced to raise the facility’s capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day — a landmark move that will make it the largest single-train refinery in the world, overtaking India’s Jamnagar Refinery.
PulseNets learnt that this confirmation follows earlier reports from October 23, 2025, which detailed the refinery’s broader ambition to scale up production and list a portion of its equity on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
Dangote, while addressing invited guests and senior officials, expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for sustaining policies that have encouraged large-scale industrialisation — notably the Nigeria’s First Policy, Naira-for-Crude Policy, and the One-Stop Shop initiative.
According to him, these policies have significantly transformed Nigeria’s downstream sector and strengthened investor confidence, paving the way for this major phase of growth.
“This expansion is not just about numbers — it’s about confidence in Nigeria, in Africa, and in our ability to define our own energy future,” Dangote told PulseNets.
He explained that the expansion aligns with President Tinubu’s long-term vision of positioning Nigeria as a leading global supplier of refined petroleum products, reducing dependence on imports, and conserving billions in foreign exchange.
PulseNets obtained that about 65,000 workers are expected to be engaged during the construction phase — a development poised to boost local employment, enhance industrial participation, and strengthen Africa’s engineering and project management capacity.
In addition to expanding fuel processing, the refinery’s polypropylene output will increase from 900,000 metric tonnes to 2.4 million metric tonnes annually. This upgrade will expand production of linear alkylbenzene — a critical ingredient in detergent manufacturing — along with more base oils and petrochemical derivatives.
Dangote further revealed that the refinery will transition from Euro V to Euro VI fuel standards, meeting the highest global environmental compliance levels. He also confirmed that the facility’s power generation infrastructure is being upgraded to achieve full operational independence.
“Our objective has never been merely to refine oil,” he told PulseNets, “but to refine opportunities for our people. That’s why over 85% of our workforce will continue to be Nigerian — trained, empowered, and equipped to drive this vision forward.”
In line with the company’s transparency agenda, Dangote also announced that 10% of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex will be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange within the next year, opening fresh opportunities for public investment and broader ownership among Nigerians.
He invited local and international financiers, crude suppliers, and strategic partners to join in building what he described as “Africa’s most integrated energy and petrochemical hub.”
Amid concerns about potential fuel scarcity during the festive season, Dangote reassured Nigerians that the refinery is well-positioned to maintain steady petrol supply despite the recent volatility in global oil prices.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the Dangote Refinery remains committed to keeping petrol supply stable throughout the festive period,” he told PulseNets.
“For the first time in many years, Nigerians can look forward to a festive season free of fuel anxiety.”
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Federal and Lagos State governments, financial partners, the Lekki host community, and the refinery’s workforce for their support in realising this ambitious project.
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Dangote also appealed to holders of other refinery licenses to collaborate in fulfilling the President’s vision of transforming Nigeria into Africa’s refining powerhouse.
“When Africa builds its own capacity, it builds its own destiny,” Dangote concluded.
