The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), exceeding its official installed capacity of 650,000 bpd.
The milestone was confirmed following a performance test conducted by the refinery’s process licensors, marking a significant step in the facility’s operational expansion and efficiency.
The development further reinforces the refinery’s position as the world’s largest single-train refinery.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Anthony Chiejina, said the achievement reflects the strength of the refinery’s engineering design and operational performance.
The Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the refinery plans to expand its capacity further to 1.4 million barrels per day within the next 30 months.
He said the long-term objective is to position the facility among the largest refining hubs globally.
According to him, the expansion will strengthen Nigeria’s energy security, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, and enhance the country’s capacity to export refined fuel.
Edwin added that beyond meeting domestic demand, the refinery is being developed as a major refining hub for Africa and international markets.
Owned by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, the refinery began fuel production in 2024 and has steadily increased output of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, and other petroleum products.
It currently supplies both local and international markets, exporting to several African countries as well as destinations in Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. It has also supplied gasoline to the United States and jet fuel to Saudi Arabia.
The company said the refinery has become a stabilising force in global energy markets, particularly amid supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
It added that several African countries now rely on the refinery to support their fuel supply needs.
In April, Dangote Petroleum Refinery was reported by S&P Global Commodities as the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel, underscoring its growing role in global energy trade.
The refinery has also contributed to improved fuel availability in Nigeria, reducing reliance on imports and easing pressure on foreign exchange demand.
Its expansion aligns with national efforts to boost local refining capacity and maximise the value of Nigeria’s crude oil resources.
Rising production has also attracted increased interest from international crude suppliers and commodity traders, with the refinery sourcing feedstock both locally and internationally.
Looking ahead, Aliko Dangote has projected that capacity will be expanded to 1.4 million bpd by 2028.
The expansion is expected to generate significant economic benefits, including job creation, increased industrial activity, and improved trade balance.
The refinery is also expected to support downstream industries through a steady supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), polypropylene, and other industrial raw materials used in manufacturing.
Future plans include production of Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB), a key ingredient used in detergent manufacturing.
