Dangote Refinery Expands Fuel Exports to Africa, Attracts Japanese Interest
The Dangote Refinery has extended its export of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to Cameroon, Ghana, Angola, and South Africa in recent weeks, marking a significant milestone for the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
The Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, made this known during a visit by a delegation from the Japanese Business Community in Nigeria, led by Japan’s Ambassador-Designate, Suzuki Hideo.
Speaking on Sunday, Edwin confirmed that products from the refinery, including petrol, diesel, and jet fuel, meet global standards and are being distributed internationally. “We’ve exported petrol to Cameroon, Ghana, Angola, and South Africa. Diesel has gone all over the world, and jet fuel is being heavily exported to European markets. Our products are already making their mark internationally,” he stated.
Nigeria’s Pride and Technological Feat
Edwin emphasised that the refinery is the vision of Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote and represents a project designed, built, and operated by Nigerians for the global market. He highlighted the unique achievement of Dangote Industries Limited serving as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the facility, incorporating advanced global technologies to ensure top-notch quality.
“We are proud that a Nigerian company not only conceptualised but also delivered the world’s largest single-train refinery complex,” Edwin said, adding that the project aligns with Africa’s ambition to maximise its crude oil resources for local production and export.
Edwin also reiterated the company’s openness to collaboration, noting that Japanese technologies already feature in the refinery and Dangote’s fertiliser plants. “We embrace innovation, and Japan’s focus on advanced technology provides opportunities for collaboration across sectors, from cement plants to petroleum production,” he added.
Boosting Nigeria’s Economy
The Dangote Petrochemical project, Edwin explained, will further stimulate investment in downstream industries, drive job creation, increase tax revenue, and reduce foreign exchange outflows. He noted that the refinery’s polypropylene section, once expanded, will minimise Nigeria’s reliance on imported polypropylene, a vital raw material for packaging, textiles, and automotive manufacturing.
Japanese Delegation Hails the Refinery
The Japanese delegation praised the Dangote Refinery for showcasing Nigeria’s technological advancements on the global stage. Managing Director of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Takashi Oku, described the facility as a remarkable project and a symbol of Nigeria’s growing influence in Africa.
“We had heard about the excellence of the Dangote Refinery through the media, but seeing it firsthand has been truly impressive. It highlights Nigeria’s role as the gateway to Africa and reflects its technological progress,” Oku said.
Similarly, Masahiro Tsuno, Managing Director of Itochu Nigeria Limited, called the refinery a “miracle” and one of the wonders of the world, particularly given its scale and single-investor ownership.
“I’ve seen standalone refineries in Vietnam and the Middle East, but witnessing a project of this magnitude by a single investor is truly extraordinary. It is a testament to Nigeria’s potential,” Tsuno remarked, expressing his company’s interest in exploring partnerships, particularly in polypropylene and other petroleum products.
The Dangote Refinery’s recent strides in fuel exports and international recognition underscore its growing importance in Africa’s energy landscape, strengthening Nigeria’s position as a hub for oil and petrochemical innovation.
