By Ayomide Otitoju
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has assured that it has sufficient Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to meet Nigeria’s domestic demand, according to Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited.
Speaking over the weekend, Dangote revealed that the refinery currently holds over half a billion litres of petroleum products, valued at more than ₦600 billion.
“As we speak right now, we have more than half a billion litres,” Dangote stated. “The refinery is producing enough refined products—including gasoline, diesel, and kerosene—to meet 100 percent of Nigeria’s requirements.”
Africa-Focused Vision for Energy Independence
Dangote made these remarks after hosting a delegation from Zambia’s government, led by Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote, on a tour of the Dangote Refinery complex. He emphasized that the 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery is not just for Nigeria but for Africa as a whole.
“This refinery is not only for Nigeria; it is for Africa,” Dangote said. “We must sustain the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) deal. We are looking at how to trade with other African countries.”
Zambia Seeks Energy Collaboration with Dangote
Zambia’s Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote, praised Dangote’s vision for Africa, stating that the refinery’s capacity presents a significant opportunity for collaboration.
“The biggest takeaway from this visit is that Aliko Dangote is truly focused on the bigger picture for Africa,” Chikote said.
After touring the Dangote Free Trade Zone complex in Ibeju-Lekki, which includes the Dangote Jetty, the continent’s largest fertilizer plant, and the refinery, Chikote expressed Zambia’s interest in partnering with Dangote Industries to enhance energy security and efficiency.
“In Zambia, 100 percent of our petroleum is handled by the private sector. We want increased productivity in mining, agriculture, and other sectors, and your refinery presents an immediate solution to our energy needs,” he said.
He added that Zambia is looking at Dangote’s involvement in the country’s energy sector to ensure efficient, reliable, and competitive products.
Private Sector Key to Africa’s Economic Growth – World Bank VP
Also part of the delegation was Samuel Maimbo, Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning at the World Bank Group, who is currently vying for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Maimbo highlighted the critical role of the private sector in Africa’s development, arguing that neither government funding nor development aid is sufficient to drive the continent’s growth.
“The only way we can finance Africa’s growth at the pace and scale needed to solve our problems is by working through the private sector,” Maimbo said.
He described the Dangote Refinery project as an ambitious blueprint that other African nations could learn from to achieve self-sufficiency in energy production.
Dangote Refinery: Meeting Local and Export Demand
According to Edwin Devakumar, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, the refinery produces the highest quality petroleum products and is designed for maximum value extraction.
“The refinery can meet all of Nigeria’s requirements—44 percent of its capacity is sufficient for domestic consumption, while the remaining 56 percent will be exported,” Devakumar explained.
He outlined the daily production breakdown as follows:
104 million litres of lighter products
57 million litres of petrol
20 million litres of jet fuel
27 million litres of diesel
With Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption estimated at 46 million litres, the refinery will export approximately 58 million litres of refined products daily, strengthening Nigeria’s position as a key energy supplier within Africa.
A Game-Changer for Africa’s Energy Landscape
The Dangote Refinery, the largest single-train refinery in the world, is expected to play a transformational role in reducing Africa’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
With state-of-the-art technology and a commitment to intra-African trade, Dangote’s refinery is set to reshape the continent’s energy sector, promoting economic self-reliance and industrial growth.
