Dangote Refinery Expansion Gets Full FG Backing to Reach 1.4 Million BPD – Boosting Africa’s Energy Independence
The Federal Government has thrown its full support behind Dangote Refinery’s ambitious plan to expand its production capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd), a move described as a “game-changer” for Nigeria, West Africa, and the continent at large. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, announced the backing during the opening of the 19th Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos, emphasizing the project’s potential to position Nigeria as a global energy hub.
Lokpobiri highlighted that the government will collaborate closely with the Dangote Group to ensure the refinery’s expansion succeeds. Once completed, the facility will rank among the largest in the world, surpassing even India’s Jamnagar Refinery. “This expansion will not just save Nigeria or West Africa—it will have a global impact,” Lokpobiri said, underscoring the significance of the initiative for Africa’s energy independence.
The minister also linked the expansion to Nigeria’s broader energy reforms, noting that the removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalization of the downstream petroleum sector have created a more viable environment for private sector investment. He stressed that these policies have stabilized fuel prices, improved product availability, and encouraged healthy competition in the market, paving the way for large-scale projects like Dangote Refinery.
Beyond national benefits, Lokpobiri framed the refinery’s growth as part of a global energy conversation. While supporting cleaner energy sources, he emphasized the continuing importance of hydrocarbons to the world economy. Citing United Nations reports, he noted that billions of dollars in annual investment are still needed in oil and gas to meet rising global energy demand and ensure energy security, particularly for Africa’s 1.4 billion population.
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, confirmed that the refinery’s expansion from 650,000 bpd to 1.4 million bpd reflects confidence in Nigeria’s economic future. The project, once operational, will not only enhance Africa’s energy self-sufficiency but also attract greater investment into the country’s oil and gas sector, supporting the Federal Government’s goal of stabilizing the downstream market while strengthening the continent’s role in global energy supply.
source: Nairametrics