Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote's refinery to process $1.2 billion worth of crude monthly

Oluwatosin Racheal Alabi -

Key Points:

  • The Dangote Oil Refinery will process $1.2 billion worth of crude monthly following President Tinubu’s directive.
  • The initiative aims to stabilize fuel prices and boost the Nigerian currency by reducing reliance on imported fuel.
  • The refinery’s operations are expected to bolster Nigeria’s economy by producing significant revenues and supporting domestic needs.

Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has launched an initiative through the Dangote Oil Refinery to process approximately $1.2 billion worth of crude oil monthly.

This effort follows Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s directive, which commands the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to sell crude in naira to this and other domestic refineries. This strategy aims to stabilize fuel prices and strengthen the national currency.

Economic strategy and impact

President Tinubu’s policy aims to transform Nigeria’s economic landscape by cutting the dependence on imported fuel and reducing foreign currency spending.

The refinery will start processing 500,000 barrels of crude per day in August, with plans to increase to 550,000 barrels by December 2024.

This approach will likely stabilize Nigeria’s fuel prices and strengthen the naira, possibly leading to reduced inflation and enhanced economic stability.

Responsive industry and operational insights

The industry has welcomed this development with cautious optimism. Chief Ukadike Chinedu of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria stressed the urgency for the NNPC to ramp up crude production to meet these new demands.

“The government has been planning to increase crude oil production; now is the time to act,” he stated, emphasizing the need for immediate action.

Moreover, Eche Idoko of the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria remarked that trading crude in naira should reduce refining costs and lower petrol prices.

“This approach will enhance the naira’s value against the dollar, leading to its appreciation,” he explained.

Future projections and economic shifts

During a recent media tour, Dangote showcased confidence in the refinery’s capacity, predicting that it would generate over $26 billion annually from products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

He plans for the refinery to increase its processing to 650,000 barrels per day by early 2025, boosting Nigeria’s ability to meet domestic fuel requirements and export excess.

The NNPC is working to increase the nation’s crude production to 2 million barrels per day by the end of the year.

With these developments, the Dangote Oil Refinery is set to play a major role in transforming Nigeria into a net exporter of refined petroleum products.