The 650,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) Dangote Refinery is set for a massive expansion that will more than double its current refining capacity to about 1.4 million bpd, positioning it as the world's largest refinery and surpassing the 1.36 million bpd Jamnagar Refinery in India.
President and Founder of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, disclosed this in an interview with S&P Global Commodity Insights, revealing that the company also plans to list up to 10 per cent of its shares by next year as part of its evolving business model.
Dangote described the expansion as a strategic move to deepen Africa's energy independence — a goal he admitted remains a "herculean task" but one he called a "labour of love," given the limited government investment in large-scale energy infrastructure across the continent.
In July, Dangote had announced an initial plan to scale capacity to 700,000 bpd by the end of 2025. The latest projection of 1.4 million bpd signals a more ambitious long-term target, though no timeline has been specified.
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According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, Nigeria's petrol imports could more than double between 2026 and 2030, reaching almost 200,000 bpd, driven by economic growth and population expansion — trends that underline the refinery's strategic importance to Nigeria's fuel security.
Engineers at the Lekki-based complex confirmed that the refinery was deliberately designed with expansion in mind, featuring empty plots capable of accommodating a second refining system. The facility could also include a vacuum distillation unit to boost light-end yields, enhancing efficiency and output.
Already Nigeria's largest power producer, the Dangote Group generates twice the electricity it consumes, insulating its operations from the country's chronic power shortages.
When completed, the expanded refinery will not only transform Nigeria's energy landscape but also redefine Africa's refining capacity — anchoring the continent's push toward energy self-sufficiency.
