Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train facility with a designed capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), has achieved full operational capacity, and even exceeded it in live runs at up to 661,000 bpd. This milestone, confirmed in early 2026 optimizations of its Crude Distillation Unit and Motor Spirit production blocks, marks a historic first for a refinery of this scale reaching nameplate output.
In a landmark development announced by Aliko Dangote on February 25, 2026, the refinery has sealed a structured offtake agreement with 12 major petroleum marketing companies, including MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, NNPC Retail, TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc, Rainoil Limited, and others. The deal secures daily supply of up to 65 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS/petrol) to the domestic market, surpassing Nigeria’s estimated average consumption of 50–60 million litres per day. This framework, supported by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, ensures stable nationwide distribution, eliminates supply disruptions, and ends chronic fuel queues and price volatility.
Surplus production projected at 15–20 million litres daily will be exported, primarily to West and Central African markets, positioning Nigeria as a regional fuel exporter for the first time in decades. Monthly petrol output could reach 1.8–2 billion litres, driving significant foreign exchange savings, enhanced energy security, and reduced reliance on costly imports.
The refinery’s ramp-up has already shifted domestic supply dynamics, with Dangote covering a dominant share of Nigeria’s petrol needs and easing pressures on the naira. Broader plans include a $400 million equipment deal with China’s XCMG to accelerate expansion toward 1.4 million bpd, alongside new petrochemical projects like Africa’s largest Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) plant for detergents (400,000 tonnes annually).
This transformative achievement underscores Dangote’s role in advancing Nigeria’s industrial self-reliance and economic independence in the petroleum sector.
