Dangote Refinery Can Fuel West Africa’s Needs – Dangote 

Lagos, Nigeria — Africa’s largest oil refinery, the Dangote Refinery, is now fully capable of meeting the fuel needs of Nigeria and the wider West African region, according to its founder and industrialist, Aliko Dangote. He made the declaration during a high-level visit by ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, to the world-class facility in Lagos.

Leading the ECOWAS delegation on a comprehensive tour, Dangote underscored the refinery’s production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, reiterating his conviction that Africa must reduce reliance on imports to achieve sustainable development. “We can no longer depend on imports for what we are capable of producing. This refinery proves Africa can deliver global-standard projects at scale,” he stated.

Dangote addressed public doubts about the refinery’s capacity, affirming that it can not only satisfy domestic demand but also support neighboring countries. “Some people claimed we couldn’t even meet Nigeria’s consumption needs, so supplying West Africa was out of reach. Today, they’ve seen the reality for themselves,” he said, adding that the success of the project should inspire other African nations to pursue similar large-scale ventures.

He also highlighted how local refining has driven down fuel prices significantly in Nigeria. Citing diesel as an example, he revealed that the refinery helped slash diesel prices from ₦1,700 to ₦1,100, alleviating costs across industries such as agriculture, mining, and transportation. “Nigerians may not realize it, but they now pay just 55% of what others in the region spend on petrol,” he said, noting current refinery rates of ₦815–₦820 per litre, compared to ₦1,600 in nearby countries.

The price reduction, he explained, is a direct benefit of local refining — enhancing energy security, lowering production costs, and reducing dependence on volatile international markets. Dangote further hinted at an even larger energy initiative in the works, promising additional benefits for Nigerians.

Impressed by the scale and sophistication of the facility, Dr. Touray called the refinery a “symbol of Africa’s industrial future.” He commended Dangote for his commitment to the continent, describing the project as evidence of what the private sector can achieve when empowered and visionary.

“We talk a lot about Africa’s potential, but what I saw here today is beyond imagination,” Touray remarked. “This is what we must encourage across ECOWAS — self-reliance through industrialization. It’s a clear sign that the private sector holds the key to solving our region’s pressing issues.”

He noted that the refinery, which produces Euro V-compliant fuels, positions ECOWAS to meet its environmental benchmark of 50 parts per million (ppm) sulphur content, a standard rarely met by imported fuels. “Why import substandard products when a regional company like Dangote can supply clean fuel?” he asked.

Touray also used the visit to call for stronger ties between governments and private enterprises, stating that ECOWAS must make policy decisions informed by on-the-ground realities. “We cannot keep legislating for the private sector without engaging them directly. Visits like this help us understand their hurdles and unlock real solutions,” he said.

He emphasized that to combat poverty, youth unemployment, and regional instability, governments must prioritize private-sector-led industrialization. “The state alone cannot solve these problems. Only the private sector can create impact at scale. We must understand and support their journey,” he stressed.

Touray pledged the full support of the ECOWAS Commission, promising to facilitate access to wider regional markets and encouraging other African countries to emulate Nigeria’s industrial boldness. “We stand ready to ensure that companies like Dangote Group are given every opportunity to serve not just Nigeria, but all of Africa,” he concluded.

By Enoch Odesola| June 2, 2025