Nigeria's Dangote Refinery, owned by Dangote Group, has initiated the production of diesel and aviation fuel, marking a significant milestone for Africa's largest energy refinery and the world's largest single-train refinery. Commissioned in May 2023 with a total investment of $19 billion, the refinery has processed six million barrels of crude oil since late 2023, supported by government initiatives to accelerate the project's startup. A law by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission requires fourty eight producing firms to deliver 483,000 barrels per day to local refineries from January 2024, with half allocated to Dangote Refinery. This move aims to reduce Nigeria's energy imports and enhance supply security by leveraging local resources. Dangote Petroleum Refinery asserts its capability to meet 100 percent of Nigeria's refined product needs and even export surplus products.
The Lagos-based Dangote Refinery's current focus on diesel and aviation fuel production aligns with its goal to expand and ultimately achieve a daily crude oil processing capacity of 650,000 barrels in the project's completion phase. The refinery's strategic position as a self-sufficient provider of refined products contributes to Nigeria's energy independence and potential export capabilities.