The race for oil supremacy is heating up, and Nigeria is making bold moves to claim a top spot. The Dangote Refinery, already Africa’s largest, is now gearing up for a massive expansion that could see it become the biggest refinery in the world.
During a recent briefing in Lagos, Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, confirmed that the refinery’s capacity will be increased from 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.4 million bpd. Construction for the expansion is set to begin immediately.
“When completed, the Dangote Refinery will surpass the Jamnagar Refinery in India to become the world’s largest,” Dangote announced.
Oil refineries are the industrial powerhouses that turn crude oil into vital products such as petrol, diesel, and jet fuel. Their efficiency and scale often reflect a nation’s industrial strength — and with this expansion, Nigeria is positioning itself among the global heavyweights of the energy world.
Here’s a look at the top 10 largest oil refineries in the world:
- Jamnagar Refinery – India
Owner: Reliance Industries
Location: Jamnagar, Gujarat
Capacity: 1.24 million bpd - Paraguana Refinery Complex – Venezuela
Owner: PDVSA
Location: Paraguaná Peninsula
Capacity: 940,000 bpd - SK Energy Ulsan Complex – South Korea
Owner: SK Energy
Location: Ulsan
Capacity: 900,000 bpd - Yeosu Refinery – South Korea
Owner: GS Caltex
Location: Yeosu
Capacity: 840,000 bpd - Ruwais Refinery – United Arab Emirates
Owner: ADNOC
Location: Ruwais
Capacity: 827,000 bpd - Onsan Refinery – South Korea
Owner: S-Oil Corporation
Location: Onsan
Capacity: 669,000 bpd - Dangote Refinery – Nigeria
Owner: Dangote Industries
Location: Lagos
Capacity: 650,000 bpd (set to expand to 1.4 million bpd by 2028) - Galveston Bay Refinery – United States
Owner: Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Location: Texas City, Texas
Capacity: 631,000 bpd - Beaumont Refinery – United States
Owner: ExxonMobil
Location: Beaumont, Texas
Capacity: ~630,000 bpd - Port Arthur Refinery – United States
Owner: Motiva Enterprises
Location: Port Arthur, Texas
Capacity: 600,000 bpd
With the expansion, Dangote Refinery is set to leap to the top of this list — a development that could transform Nigeria from a major crude exporter to a global refining hub. Energy experts say this move not only reshapes Africa’s oil landscape but also underscores the continent’s growing influence in global energy production.
