Nigeria-based Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, Africa’s largest petroleum refinery, says it has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), surpassing its nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd.
The milestone was reportedly achieved during a performance test conducted by the firm’s process licensors, underscoring the refinery’s operational efficiency.
“The achievement demonstrates the refinery’s ability to process additional feedstock while optimizing performance across its production units,” the company said.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice-President for Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, explained that the ramp-up is part of a broader, ambitious strategy to more than double capacity to 1.4 million bpd within 30 months, positioning the facility as potentially the largest refinery globally.
According to him, the expansion is expected to boost Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency, eliminate the country’s dependence on imported refined products, and strengthen its position as a regional export hub.
He added that the refinery’s growth trajectory reflects a deliberate move toward continental and global refining dominance, not just domestic supply sufficiency.
On February 4, David Bird, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Refinery, said the facility has a nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd and will soon ramp up production to 700,000 bpd.
Bird said the refinery has more than enough fuel production capacity to meet demand, adding that the organisation will now focus more on output rather than crude rate.
On October 26, 2025, Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, said the refinery was expanding its production capacity from 650,000 bpd to 1.4 million bpd within three years.
The move is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits, including job creation, increased industrial activity, and improved trade balances.
The refinery commenced fuel production in 2024 and has steadily increased output of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and other refined petroleum products.
The facility has rapidly established itself as a major supplier to both domestic and international markets, exporting refined petroleum products to several African countries and key European destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, among others. It has also supplied gasoline to the American market and jet fuel to Saudi Arabia.
Dangote Refinery has strengthened its role as a stabiliser in the oil and gas industry amid ongoing disruptions caused by Middle East tensions, as many African countries increasingly turn to the refinery for energy security.
In a further demonstration of its growing global significance, Dangote Petroleum Refinery became the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, according to S&P Global Commodities.
The refinery has played a pivotal role in stabilising fuel supplies in Nigeria, helping to eliminate dependence on imported petroleum products and easing pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Its expansion also aligns with broader national objectives to enhance local refining capacity and maximise value from Nigeria’s abundant crude oil resources.
Growing production volumes have also attracted increased interest from global crude suppliers and commodity trading firms, with the refinery sourcing feedstock from both domestic and international producers to sustain its rising output.
Discover more from Energy News Africa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.