Nigeria’s Dangote Oil Refinery, Africa’s largest, is on track to reach full 100% capacity within 30 days despite ongoing local crude supply challenges, according to Edwin Devakumar, the head of the facility.
Nigeria’s Dangote Oil Refinery, Africa’s largest, could reach full operational capacity within 30 days, according to Edwin Devakumar, head of the refinery. Speaking on Monday, Devakumar revealed that the facility, which has a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is currently operating at 85% efficiency.
Located in Lagos and built by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, the refinery began processing crude oil into diesel, naphtha, and jet fuel in January last year, with petrol production starting in September. Despite its ambitions to compete with European refineries, the facility has faced challenges in securing sufficient local crude supplies.
Last year, the refinery resorted to importing crude after struggling to obtain adequate volumes domestically, despite an agreement with the Nigerian government to purchase crude in naira. To address this, the refinery has requested 550,000 barrels per day of crude for the first half of 2025, with Nigeria’s oil regulator vowing to block export permits for producers failing to meet local supply quotas.
In a bid to expand its market reach, the refinery recently shipped two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco. « We are exploring all markets, » said Devakumar. Founder Aliko Dangote expressed optimism about the facility’s growing capacity during a visit from Nigerian professionals last week.
As the refinery prepares to hit full capacity, its success could reshape Nigeria’s oil industry and reduce reliance on imported refined products.
