Dangote Refinery Expands Fuel Export Reach to Southern Africa with Namibia Facility
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is set to expand its export operations by constructing a fuel storage facility in Namibia with a capacity of 1.6 million barrels of petrol and diesel. The planned facility will be situated in the port city of Walvis Bay, positioning Dangote to distribute refined fuel products across southern Africa. This strategic development reflects the company’s ambition to reshape regional energy distribution and improve fuel access in multiple countries.
The $20 billion refinery, which began operations last year, is one of the largest in Africa, with a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. Since coming online, it has been scaling up production while seeking markets beyond West Africa. This latest move aligns with Dangote’s long-term vision of becoming a dominant force in the continental energy sector.
Sources close to the project confirmed that the storage tanks in Namibia will serve as a hub for supplying fuel to neighboring countries including Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia itself. Discussions are also ongoing to extend supply to southern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. These developments mark a significant push into a broader African market, traditionally dependent on fuel imports from outside the continent.
While specific financial details of the Namibian project remain undisclosed, officials at the Namibia Ports Authority have verified that the facility will be built within the Walvis Bay harbor. This location is strategically important due to its infrastructure and accessibility to landlocked southern African nations. Construction is expected to begin soon.
In a sign of growing international interest, Dangote recently exported its first gasoline cargo to Asia, marking a departure from its earlier West Africa-focused operations. Once fully operational, the refinery is expected to meet domestic fuel needs in Nigeria and generate surpluses for export. This expansion into Namibia further solidifies Dangote’s role in transforming Africa’s energy trade landscape.
Source: Leadership