● Edwin: Ramp-up positions plant as world’s largest single-train refinery*l
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has ramped up crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day, bpd, surpassing its 650,000 bpd nameplate capacity during a performance test by Process Licensors.
The milestone cements the refinery’s position as the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery and signals a major step in Africa’s energy self-sufficiency drive.
— Capacity push toward 1.4m bpd—
Vice-President for Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the ramp-up is part of a broader strategy to more than double capacity to 1.4 million bpd within 30 months, positioning the facility as potentially the largest refinery globally.
“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,” Edwin stated.
He added that the refinery’s growth reflects “a deliberate move toward continental and global refining dominance, not just domestic supply sufficiency.”
–Exports, stabilization, and jet fuel lead–
Owned by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, the refinery commenced fuel production in 2024 and has steadily increased output of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and other products.
It now supplies domestic and international markets, exporting to several African countries and key European destinations including the UK, France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. It has also supplied gasoline to the U.S. and jet fuel to Saudi Arabia.
Dangote Refinery became the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, according to S&P Global Commodities. With Middle East tensions disrupting global supply, many African countries are now patronizing the refinery for energy security.
–Downstream boost, forex relief–
The facility has played a pivotal role in stabilizing fuel supplies in Nigeria, helping eliminate dependence on imported petroleum products and easing pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Growing output has also attracted interest from global crude suppliers and trading firms, with feedstock sourced from both domestic and international producers.
Looking ahead, Aliko Dangote has outlined plans to transform the facility into the world’s largest refinery by 2028 at 1.4 million bpd. The expansion is expected to deliver job creation, increased industrial activity, improved trade balances, and strengthen downstream manufacturing with reliable supply of LPG, polypropylene and future supply of Linear Alkylbenzene for detergents.dangote
