The Dangote Petrochemical Refinery is on course to increase its production capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) by December 2025, according to a new industry report by Argus Media. This marks a 50,000bpd rise from its current 650,000bpd level, positioning the facility as a key driver in Nigeria’s journey toward energy self-sufficiency.
The report attributes the projected boost to improved operational efficiencies and ongoing expansion works. Sources say the upgrade could be completed as early as December, bolstering local supply and reducing reliance on fuel imports.
Group Executive Director of Dangote Industries Limited, Edwin Devakumar, confirmed the development, stating that the increase is linked to enhanced crude processing and performance across various departments since the refinery launched operations in early 2024.
“Many of our units are now producing at well over 100 percent of their designed capacity,” Devakumar said, adding that minor adjustments and upgrades—known as de-bottlenecking—are being implemented to unlock higher output.
Data from energy analytics firm Kpler indicates the refinery processed about 644,000bpd as of July, on track to exceed the previous monthly record of 445,000bpd set in June. Gasoline sales began in September 2024, and the refinery has since scaled up exports significantly.
In the past 50 days alone, the refinery has shipped around 1.35 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to various countries, translating to about 1 million tonnes of petrol, according to company president Aliko Dangote.
Some of the refinery’s major processing units have already surpassed expectations: the mild hydrocracker has hit 120% of its design capacity, while the gasoline desulphurisation unit is running at 125%. Other units, including the continuous catalytic reformer and naphtha hydrotreater, have also exceeded performance benchmarks.
The facility, touted as Africa’s largest oil refinery, continues to scale up output and reinforce Nigeria’s capacity to meet both domestic and export demand for refined petroleum products.
