Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) in a performance test conducted by the Process Licensors.
The increase sees the refinery surpass its nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd, underlining the facility’s engineering capability and operational efficiency.
The company’s Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, in a statement on Thursday, said the achievement demonstrates the refinery’s ability to process additional feedstock while optimising performance across its production units.
Vice-President for Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, explained that the ramp-up is part of a broader, ambitious strategy to more than double capacity to 1.4 million bpd within 30 months, positioning the facility as potentially the largest refinery globally.
He said the expansion is expected to boost Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency, eliminate the country’s dependence on imported refined products and strengthen its position as a regional export hub.
Mr Edwin added that the refinery’s growth trajectory reflects a deliberate move toward continental and global refining dominance, not just domestic supply sufficiency.
Owned by Nigerian industrialist and philanthropist Aliko Dangote, the refinery commenced fuel production in 2024 and has steadily increased output of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and other refined petroleum products.
The facility has rapidly established itself as a major supplier to both domestic and international markets, exporting refined petroleum products to several African countries and key European destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands, among others.
“It has supplied gasoline to the American market and jet fuel to Saudi Arabia, among others.
“Dangote Refinery has strengthened its role as a stabiliser in the oil and gas industry given the ongoing disruptions caused by the Middle East tension, as a result of which many African countries are now patronising the refinery for energy security,” the statement said.
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In a further demonstration of its growing global significance, the refinery became the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, according to S&P Global Commodities.
Mr Chiejina said the refinery has played a pivotal role in stabilising fuel supplies in Nigeria, helping to eliminate dependence on imported petroleum products and easing pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
“Its expansion also aligns with broader national objectives to enhance local refining capacity and maximise value from Nigeria’s abundant crude oil resources.
“Growing production volumes have also attracted increased interest from global crude suppliers and commodity trading firms, with the refinery sourcing feedstock from both domestic and international producers to sustain its rising output,” the statement added.
Mr Dangote has outlined ambitious plans to transform the facility into the world’s largest refinery by 2028, targeting a processing capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day.
