The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has ramped up its daily production to 85% of its 650,000 barrels per day capacity, with expectations to reach full capacity within the next 30 days.
Despite this progress, refinery officials remained tight-lipped on crude oil sourcing, as local supply from Nigeria has been limited. At the current 85% production rate, the refinery is processing 552,500 barrels per day.
Vice President of Dangote Industries, Devakumar Edwin, confirmed that efforts are in place to achieve full operational capacity soon. According to him, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is now operating at 85% capacity, with plans to reach full production within 30 days.
He revealed that the refinery had to import crude oil last year due to insufficient local supply, despite an agreement with the Nigerian government to purchase crude in naira. Edwin further stated that the refinery is actively exploring new markets to expand its reach and enhance operations.
Africa’s largest refinery, built by Aliko Dangote in Lagos, began crude processing in January last year, producing diesel, naphtha, and jet fuel. By September, it commenced petrol production despite facing significant crude supply challenges that sparked debates in the petroleum sector.
With limited local crude availability, the refinery has turned to imports to sustain operations. However, it has emerged as a strong competitor to European refiners, disrupting the region’s petroleum market. This comes despite an agreement with the Nigerian government to purchase crude in naira, which has yet to fully meet supply demands.
The Dangote Refinery is ramping up its expansion efforts, with Chairman Aliko Dangote confirming that the company is exporting two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco as part of its strategic growth plans.
Vice President Devakumar Edwin stated that the refinery is actively exploring all potential markets for its refined products.
However, it remains unclear whether this expansion will result in a reduction in fuel prices at the loading stage. Additionally, questions persist about the refinery’s crude oil supply sources, as officials have yet to disclose specific procurement plans.
