Nigeria, Congo Explore Refinery Partnership as Dangote Expands African Energy Links

Nigeria's Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Republic of the Congo's national oil company have opened talks on a long-term partnership that could improve the supply of refined petroleum products and deepen energy cooperation between both countries.

Officials from the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), led by its Managing Director, Maixent Raoul Ominga, visited the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos, where both sides discussed areas of cooperation in refining, petroleum products supply, energy security, industrial development and knowledge sharing.

The visit centred on ways to build a lasting business relationship that would support the Republic of the Congo's access to refined petroleum products while creating value for both organisations.

The discussions also reflected wider efforts by African companies and governments to work more closely on energy projects within the continent instead of depending heavily on suppliers outside Africa.

Expansion plans support regional cooperation

During the meeting, Dangote Industries Limited said it plans to increase its total refining capacity to 2.1 million barrels per day.

Group Vice President, Oil and Gas, Devakumar Edwin, said the company's target includes 1.4 million barrels per day in Nigeria and a planned 700,000 barrels per day refining complex in Kenya, which is expected to serve East African markets.

Edwin also said the group intends to invest an extra 46 billion US dollars between 2026 and 2028 in its refining, cement and fertiliser businesses as part of its industrial expansion programme on the continent.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery is one of Africa's biggest refining projects. The facility was built to produce petroleum products that meet international quality standards while helping African countries reduce dependence on imported refined fuel from outside the continent.

Dangote Industries has also expanded investments beyond Nigeria. Its operations include cement, fertiliser and other industrial businesses in several African countries, including the Republic of the Congo, where the company has invested in cement production.

The Republic of the Congo also has refining capacity through its national oil company, SNPC. The visit to Lagos formed part of efforts to examine areas where both organisations can work together to improve fuel supply, strengthen industrial development and exchange technical knowledge.

Ominga described the refinery as an important industrial asset for Africa and said SNPC wants to build strategic cooperation with Dangote Industries.

"We have visited this remarkable refinery, which represents a major industrial achievement for Africa. The Republic of the Congo has refining capacity, and we are keen to explore strategic cooperation that will help strengthen the supply of refined petroleum products while creating value for both organisations," he said.

He also praised Dangote Group's industrial investments in the Republic of the Congo, particularly in the cement sector. He said those investments have strengthened local industrial capacity, expanded production and improved access to construction materials.

Edwin said the refinery has set a high standard for fuel quality on the continent by producing petroleum products that meet international specifications while improving access to cleaner fuels and reducing dependence on imported refined products from outside Africa.

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, restated the company's commitment to industrial development through investment, value addition and partnerships within Africa.

"We are for Africa, not just Nigeria. Tell us what you need, and we will see how we can work together," Dangote said.

The meeting was attended by Group Executive Director, Commercial, Oil and Gas, Fatima Aliko Dangote; Adviser to the President of the Republic of the Congo, Peggy Ndongo; and advisers to the SNPC Managing Director, Aymar Ebiou and Norbert Mabiala.

The discussions marked another step in efforts by Dangote Industries and the Republic of the Congo to build stronger business ties that could improve refined fuel supply and support wider industrial cooperation within Africa.