Dangote Refinery Exceeds Capacity, Hits 700,000 Barrels Per Day

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has raised its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), surpassing its installed nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd in a major operational milestone that reinforces its position as Africa’s largest refinery.

The achievement followed a performance test conducted by the refinery’s process licensors, demonstrating the facility’s ability to process higher crude volumes while maintaining operational efficiency across its production units.

Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the latest increase forms part of a broader expansion plan aimed at raising the refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million bpd within the next 30 months.

According to him, the expansion is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s energy security, eliminate dependence on imported petroleum products and consolidate the country’s position as a major exporter of refined fuels.

Since commencing fuel production in 2024, the refinery has steadily increased output of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and other petroleum products, supplying both domestic and international markets.

Its products are currently exported to several African countries as well as key European destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. The refinery has also supplied gasoline to the United States and jet fuel to Saudi Arabia.

The facility's growing output has further elevated its role in Africa's energy market, particularly at a time when geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions continue to affect global energy trade.

In another milestone, Dangote Petroleum Refinery emerged as the world's largest exporter of jet fuel in April, according to S&P Global Commodities.

The refinery has also played a key role in reducing Nigeria's reliance on imported fuels, helping to conserve foreign exchange and support the country's drive for greater value addition from its crude oil resources.

Its rising production capacity has attracted growing interest from international crude suppliers and commodity traders, with feedstock sourced from both local and foreign producers.

Looking ahead, President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has expressed confidence that the facility could become the world's largest refinery by 2028 if expansion plans proceed as scheduled.

Besides fuel production, the refinery is expected to support downstream manufacturing through the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), polypropylene and other industrial feedstocks used in packaging, consumer goods and detergent production.