Dangote Refinery Achieves 650,000 bpd Capacity, Becomes World’s Largest

Africa, Business

LAGOS, NIGERIA: The Dangote Refinery has announced a major milestone in Nigeria’s quest for energy security, confirming that it has reached full operational capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd). With this achievement, the Lagos-based facility is now recognised as the world’s largest oil refinery.

In a statement released Wednesday, July 11, 2026, the company said the milestone was attained after the refinery successfully scaled up to full operations.

The Dangote Refinery, conceived in 2013 by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote with initial financing of $3.3 billion, was designed to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products. Construction began in 2016 at the Lekki Free Trade Zone near Lagos, with total investment eventually exceeding $19 billion.

Built as the world’s largest single-train refinery, the project faced years of delays due to financing challenges, equipment logistics, and regulatory hurdles. In 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) acquired a 20% stake to secure crude supply agreements. By December 2023, the refinery received its first crude shipment, and in May 2023 it was officially inaugurated. Operations commenced in early 2024, marking a turning point in Nigeria’s energy sector.

With its current capacity, the refinery is expected to meet Nigeria’s domestic fuel demand and export surplus products, positioning the country as a key player in global energy markets.

PICTURE CREDIT: Dangote Industries Limited