Dangote Refinery Boosts Processing Capacity to 700,000 BPD, Plans Expansion to 1.4 Million BPD by 2028
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), surpassing its installed nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd and marking a significant operational milestone for Africa’s largest refinery.
The achievement follows a performance assessment conducted by the refinery’s process licensors, confirming the facility’s ability to process higher volumes of crude oil while maintaining efficient and stable operations across its production units.
According to Dangote Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer Anthony Chiejina, the milestone demonstrates the refinery’s operational strength and its capacity to optimize production beyond its original design specifications.
The refinery, which is the world’s largest single-train petroleum refining facility, continues to play a pivotal role in transforming Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and reducing the country’s dependence on imported refined products.
Expansion Plans Underway
Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the latest increase forms part of a broader strategy to expand the refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million bpd within the next 30 months.
He noted that the planned expansion would position the Dangote Refinery among the largest refining complexes globally while enhancing Nigeria’s energy security and strengthening its role in international petroleum markets.
“Our long-term objective is not only to meet domestic demand but also to establish a stronger footprint in regional and global refining markets,” Edwin said.
The announcement follows recent disclosures by refinery executives outlining plans to double the facility’s capacity by 2028.
Speaking at the S&P Global Energy Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference in London, Dangote Refinery Chief Executive Officer David Bird revealed that the refinery is currently operating at full nameplate capacity and is pursuing a replication strategy to increase output.
Bird said the company intends to add another 700,000 bpd of refining capacity by the end of 2028.
Long-lead equipment has already been secured, and construction contracts for the expansion are being awarded.
He further disclosed that Dangote could eventually raise its total refining capacity to 2.1 million bpd through future projects, including the development of an additional refinery in East Africa.
Growing Export Contribution
The refinery’s rapid scale-up has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s fuel supply chain and export capacity.
According to data from energy analytics firm Kpler, Dangote Refinery exported approximately 57 million barrels of jet fuel between April 2024 and April 2026.
Exports rose from around 20,000 bpd in April 2024 to approximately 65,000 bpd by the end of that year, before reaching a peak of nearly 160,000 bpd during the review period.
The growth in aviation fuel exports highlights the refinery’s increasing contribution to Nigeria’s economy and underscores the country’s emergence as a major supplier of refined petroleum products to regional and international markets.
As production continues to expand, the Dangote Refinery is expected to play an even greater role in boosting energy security, supporting industrial growth, generating export revenues, and positioning Nigeria as a leading refining hub in Africa and beyond.
