Dangote Refinery has announced plans to expand its production capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (BPD) to 1.4 million BPD within three years. CEO David Bird said the strategy is designed to position Nigeria as a major player in global refining.
Bird explained that the expansion will follow a “replication-first” approach, copying the existing refinery design rather than redesigning it.

According to him, this method avoids the delays and cost overruns that often occur when engineers make major changes during large industrial projects.
“We plan to replicate the current model without re-engineering. This allows us to immediately start ordering key equipment and commence construction,” Bird said.

The project will run on two parallel tracks: procurement of long-lead equipment and early construction work. Orders for major equipment are expected to be completed by the end of January, while piling and foundation work will start before the end of the month.

A key advantage for the expansion is that the land has already been prepared. The site has been raised and reclaimed, removing typical delays related to site preparation. Bird noted that steel structures could start rising above ground as early as the end of the year.

In addition to increasing capacity, Dangote Refinery plans to list a portion of the facility on the stock market, giving Nigerians an opportunity to own a stake. The listing will begin with institutional investors before opening to retail investors, with the process expected to be completed this year.