Dangote plans refinery expansion as Nigeria seeks to cut fuel imports

Aliko Dangote says his refinery has reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, as the businessman outlines plans to expand processing capacity and pursue a listing on the Nigerian stock exchange.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Dangote said demand for the facility’s jet fuel had increased amid disruptions to global energy supplies. The material does not provide figures for the change in demand or the refinery’s contribution to national fuel supplies.

Nigeria has historically relied heavily on imported refined petroleum products while its state-owned refineries were largely non-functional. Dangote described the construction of his refinery as the hardest business challenge he had faced.

He said the refinery’s processing capacity would be doubled, although no current or planned capacity figures, timetable or expansion structure were provided.

Dangote also said he planned to list the company on Nigeria’s stock exchange, with the aim of creating wealth for ordinary Nigerians. He rejected criticism that the refinery was creating a monopoly, but the source provided no independent assessment of that claim.

Dangote framed the project as part of a broader effort to make Africa more self-sufficient and less reliant on imports. His claims about the refinery’s impact and future plans were not independently quantified in the source material.