The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest oil refining facility, is currently undergoing a significant upgrade aimed at increasing its capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to an impressive 700,000 bpd, according to reports. The expansion project, which is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025, signals another bold step in Aliko Dangote’s vision to revolutionize Nigeria’s energy sector and reduce the continent’s dependence on imported fuels.
The announcement was made by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, during a media tour of the multi-billion-dollar refinery located in Lekki, Lagos.
During the media interaction, Dangote confirmed that the refinery’s Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) unit, a key component of the refining process, is currently operating at 85% efficiency. This technology plays a crucial role in converting heavy crude oil into more valuable, lighter products like gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
“Our RFCC is at 85 percent. We’re not yet at 100 percent due to some ongoing modifications. These will be completed by the end of the year, and we’re optimistic that we’ll reach a total refining capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, surpassing our initial target of 650,000,” Dangote said.
He further explained that other parts of the refinery are already operating at or above expected capacity. “Some departments are even running at 145 percent, which is a significant achievement for us,” he added.
Dangote Refinery Relies on U.S. Crude Supply During Ramp-Up Phase
As part of its strategy to meet production targets, the Dangote Refinery has sourced a substantial amount of crude oil from the United States. According to Dangote, the company acquired 19 million barrels of crude between June and July 2025, with 10 million barrels purchased in July alone.
“Currently, about 55 percent of our crude supply is coming from the U.S., and we bought 10 million barrels just this month. That volume helps us operate efficiently while we scale up to full capacity,” Dangote revealed.
This move reflects the company’s flexible procurement strategy as it ramps up production and prepares for long-term sustainability.
Aliko Dangote recounted the long and challenging journey of building the refinery, a $20 billion mega-project that has redefined the landscape of Africa’s energy industry. He revealed that the idea was born out of frustration in 2007 when the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua halted his plans to acquire and revamp existing government-owned refineries.
Rather than abandon his ambitions, Dangote decided to build one of the world’s largest single-train refineries from scratch—a decision he described as one of the most difficult, yet most rewarding, in his business career.
“People think building a refinery is like building a house. But honestly, if I had known what we were going to face, I might not have started. But we kept pushing, and we’ve shown that nothing is impossible,” Dangote said.
He added that as the project progressed, the company often found itself at a crossroads—either abandon the effort or move forward against all odds. “So, we had to push and continue to make sure that we delivered on our promise,” he stated.
Dangote didn’t shy away from addressing the geopolitical and economic challenges facing Africa’s oil and gas sector. He emphasized that many countries on the continent still rely heavily on fuel imports, noting that only Algeria and Libya are currently self-sufficient in energy.
“Apart from Algeria and Libya, the rest of Africa is essentially importing fuel. That’s why a project like ours is not just for Nigeria, but for the entire continent,” he stated.
He also criticized what he described as foreign economic interference, saying that mass fuel imports were being used as a tool to suppress industrial growth in sub-Saharan Africa.
“If you go to Lome, Togo, you’ll see countless ships offloading refined products. That’s how some external actors attack local industries in Africa. Even in South Africa, only one refinery is currently operating,” he said.
Despite the odds, Dangote affirmed that the risk was worth it. “We took this risk because we believed in the future of Africa and our ability to lead in energy self-sufficiency,” he said.
The ongoing upgrade of the Dangote Refinery to 700,000 barrels per day marks a major milestone not just for Nigeria, but for the entire African continent. Aliko Dangote’s vision to transform Africa’s energy landscape is being realized through bold investments, innovative thinking, and sheer determination. Once fully operational, the refinery is expected to dramatically reduce Africa’s dependence on fuel imports, stabilize regional energy markets, and create thousands of jobs.
With its advanced infrastructure and strategic vision, Dangote has firmly positioned himself—and Nigeria—at the center of Africa’s quest for energy independence.
Source- Punchng
