Dangote Refinery hits 700,000 bpd capacity, surpasses nameplate target
By Aboki Forex —
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), exceeding its installed nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd. The milestone follows a performance assessment by the refinery's process licensors.
In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, said the increase shows the refinery can process additional feedstock while optimising performance across its production units.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, said the output increase is part of a broader expansion strategy. The company plans to scale capacity to 1.4 million bpd within the next 30 months.
“The refinery’s growth trajectory reflects a deliberate move toward continental and global refining dominance, not just domestic supply sufficiency,” Edwin said.
The announcement comes days after the refinery's CEO, David Bird, disclosed at the S&P Global Energy Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference in London that the facility is operating at full nameplate capacity. Bird outlined a “ruthless replication” strategy to expand output.
“We will bring 700,000 barrels per day of fully complex refining capacity on stream by the end of 2028,” Bird said. He added that long-lead equipment has been procured and construction contracts are being awarded.
Bird also said the group could eventually increase refining capacity to 2.1 million bpd, supported by plans for another refinery in East Africa. “Nigeria has gone from fuel scarcity to absolute fuel abundance since the Dangote refinery came online,” he said.
Exports grow, jet fuel shipments rise
According to Kpler data cited last month, the Dangote refinery exported an estimated 57 million barrels of jet fuel between April 2024 and April 2026. Exports rose from about 20,000 bpd in April 2024 to around 65,000 bpd by the end of that year, peaking at approximately 160,000 bpd during the review period.
The figures highlight the refinery's growing role in Nigeria's energy sector, particularly aviation fuel, as the country reduces dependence on imported products.
Owned by industrialist Aliko Dangote, the refinery started fuel production in 2024 and now supplies petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, and other refined products to domestic and international markets. Exports have reached African countries and European destinations including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. Products have also reached the United States, while jet fuel exports have extended to Saudi Arabia.
Dangote Industries said the refinery has played a stabilising role in regional fuel markets amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with more African countries turning to the facility for energy security.
Global footprint expands
The refinery emerged as the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, according to S&P Global Commodities data. Industry analysts say the refinery has reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products, easing pressure on foreign exchange demand and improving local fuel availability.
The planned expansion to 1.4 million bpd by 2028 is expected to generate broader economic benefits, including job creation, increased industrial activity, and improved trade balances. The refinery also plans to deepen downstream industrialisation through increased supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), polypropylene, and other industrial feedstocks. Plans include production of Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB), a key raw material for detergent manufacturing, as part of efforts to expand the country’s petrochemical value chain.