Nigeria’s petroleum refining capabilities received a significant boost as Dangote Petrochemical Refinery announced capacity expansion to 700,000 barrels per day by December 2025, strengthening the nation’s energy security and reducing import dependency.
The 50,000 barrels per day increase from current 650,000bpd capacity represents a major operational milestone driven by processing efficiency improvements and phased expansion plans at Africa’s largest single-train refinery facility, according to industry analysis by Argus Media.
Group Executive Director of Dangote Industries Limited, Edwin Devakumar, confirmed the capacity enhancement during discussions with international energy analysts, citing exceptional performance levels across multiple refinery departments exceeding nameplate specifications.
“In most departments, our production level has gone far beyond 100 percent,” Devakumar stated. “We have crossed 120 percent of nameplate capacity at the mild hydrocracker, 125 percent at the gasoline desulphurization unit, and 140 percent capacity in the Penex process.”
The refinery’s impressive production metrics include processing 644,000 barrels per day in July, surpassing the previous monthly record of 445,000 barrels daily set in June. Gasoline sales commenced in September, with exports reaching 1.35 billion liters over 50 days.
Economic analysts project the capacity expansion will generate approximately $1.2 billion in additional export revenue annually while creating 15,000 direct jobs in refining, logistics, and supporting industries across Lagos and neighboring states.
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, revealed the refinery exported over one million tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit between June and July 2025, demonstrating Nigeria’s emergence as a regional petroleum products supplier after decades of import dependency.
The expansion supports Nigeria’s energy transition strategy and foreign exchange conservation efforts, with potential savings of $8 billion annually in refined products imports while positioning the country as a major supplier to West African markets.
About The Author
