Nigeria’s Dangote Oil Refinery, the largest in Africa, is set to operate at full capacity within the next 30 days, according to Edwin Devakumar, the head of the refinery.

The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, built by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote in Lagos, began refining crude into diesel, naphtha, and jet fuel in January last year. By September, it started producing petrol, aiming to compete with European refineries once fully operational.

Currently operating at 85% capacity, Devakumar stated, “We can go 100 percent in 30 days.”

Despite an agreement with the Nigerian government to purchase crude in local currency, the refinery faced challenges in securing sufficient local supply last year and had to resort to importing crude. However, the oil regulator has since mandated local oil producers to supply 550,000 barrels per day to the refinery from January to June this year. Companies that fail to meet this quota risk having their export permits revoked.

Looking beyond local supply, the Dangote Refinery is expanding its market reach. During a visit by Nigerian professionals last week, Aliko Dangote revealed that the refinery had sent two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco, marking a strategic move toward global exports.

“We are looking at all the markets right now,” Devakumar added.

As the refinery ramps up operations, its full capacity production is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s energy sector and fuel supply.

Source: Reuters

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