Africa’s largest petrochemical refinery, the $20.5-billion Dangote Oil Refinery, owned by Africa’s wealthiest individual Aliko Dangote has started supplying petroleum products to the local market, marking a milestone in Nigeria’s quest towards energy independence.
According to Devakumar Edwin, the group executive director of strategy, portfolio development and capital projects at Dangote Group, the refinery initiated its distribution operations on Tues., April 2, as confirmed by Reuters. This milestone represents a win not only for Dangote, Africa’s richest person with a net worth exceeding $15 billion, but also for Nigeria’s ambitions to reduce reliance on imported fuels.
Edwin confirmed the shipment of diesel and jet fuel into the local market, asserting, “We have substantial quantities. Products are being evacuated both by sea and road. Ships are lining up one after another to load diesel and aviation jet fuel.” The refinery, boasting the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery with a daily capacity of 650,000 barrels, aims to address Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
Industrial advancement and environmental sustainability
The Dangote Petrochemical Complex, located on a peninsula on the outskirts of Lagos, represents a significant leap in industrial advancement. Alongside its refinery capabilities, it hosts a polypropylene facility producing 1 million metric tonnes annually and two of the largest fertilizer trains with a 3 million tonnes urea capacity yearly.
The mega refinery prioritizes environmental sustainability, recycling all its water, generating 50MW of power from process heat, and producing cleaner Euro 5 standard fuel. Advanced carbon capture technologies are employed to reduce CO2 emissions and mitigate the carbon footprint of maritime crude oil transportation.
Dangote reflects on overcoming challenges
Reflecting on the challenges encountered during the prolonged construction, which saw the project exceeding its budget by $8 billion and facing significant delays, Dangote expressed gratitude for overcoming the hurdles. He acknowledged moments of uncertainty, stating, “It’s either we sink or we sail through. And we thank the Almighty that at least we’ve arrived at the destination.”
The commencement of local supply by the Dangote Oil Refinery not only marks a turning point for Nigeria’s energy sector but also underscores Dangote’s vision for industrial development. With hopes pinned on reducing the nation’s dependence on imported petroleum products, the refinery stands as a beacon of progress and self-reliance in Africa’s economic landscape.
