Africa’s biggest industrial conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited, has announced plans to increase its total refining capacity to an impressive 2.1 million barrels of crude oil per day, marking another major step in the continent’s drive toward energy independence and industrial growth.
The expansion will comprise 1.4 million barrels per day in Nigeria through the ongoing expansion of the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, alongside a planned 700,000 barrels per day refinery in Kenya to serve East African markets.
The announcement was made by the Group Vice President for Oil and Gas, Devakumar Edwin, during a visit by a delegation from the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), the Republic of the Congo’s national oil company, to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos.
According to Edwin, the company also plans to invest an additional 46 billion US dollars between 2026 and 2028 across its refining, cement, and fertiliser businesses as part of its long term vision to accelerate industrialisation across Africa.
He noted that the refinery has already established a new benchmark for fuel quality by producing petroleum products that meet international standards while helping reduce Africa’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
The visiting SNPC delegation, led by Managing Director Maixent Raoul Ominga, described the Dangote Refinery as a strategic asset for Africa and expressed strong interest in forging a long term partnership with the company to strengthen refined petroleum supply, improve energy security, and promote industrial cooperation.
Ominga praised Dangote Industries for demonstrating that African companies can successfully finance, build, and operate world class industrial infrastructure. He also commended the group’s investments in the Republic of the Congo, particularly in the cement sector, for boosting local production and economic development.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, reaffirmed the company’s continental vision, saying:
“We are for Africa, not just Nigeria. Tell us what you need, and we will see how we can work together.”
If successfully implemented, the expansion will further cement Dangote’s position as one of the world’s largest refinery operators while strengthening Africa’s energy security, reducing fuel imports, and driving regional economic integration.
