The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has officially kicked off global exports of refined petroleum products, marking a major milestone for Nigeria’s energy and industrial sectors. This was announced by Mr. Ayirioritse Okerentie, Deputy Regional Director at Dangote Cement, during the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair. The refinery is now supplying aviation fuel, naphtha, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and automotive gas oil to markets across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. This move positions Nigeria as a competitive player in the global energy market, reducing dependency on imports and boosting foreign exchange inflow.
In addition to refined fuel exports, Okerentie revealed that the Dangote Petrochemical Complex has begun producing polypropylene, a key industrial raw material used in textiles, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and furniture. This development is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s manufacturing capacity and reduce the country’s reliance on imported raw materials. The complex, located within the refinery, has an annual production capacity of 830,000 metric tonnes from two operational plants, making Nigeria a potential net exporter of the product.
Dangote’s contributions to national development go beyond oil and petrochemicals. The company has been actively involved in reconstructing key infrastructure, such as the Obajana-Kabba Road and the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway. It is also currently working on the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway using concrete—a more durable alternative to asphalt. These infrastructure efforts are geared toward improving logistics and long-term sustainability, aligning with broader national development goals.
Furthermore, the company is investing in agriculture and local sugar production. Through the Sugar Backward Integration Programme, Dangote Sugar aims to end raw sugar imports and strengthen food security. New agricultural products are also expected to enter the market soon. Industry experts, like MAN’s Director-General Segun Ajayi-Kadir, believe the refinery’s activities—especially polypropylene production—can breathe new life into Nigeria’s struggling textile sector while easing pressure on the naira by saving foreign exchange.
Source: naira metrics