Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, has announced that starting next month, Nigeria will no longer need to import petroleum products, following the implementation of the Dangote Refinery’s plans.
Jerrymusa.com reports that the refinery has the capacity to meet West Africa’s petrol and diesel needs and the continent’s aviation fuel demand.
Dangote made this announcement at the Africa CEO Forum Annual Summit in Kigali, the Rwanda capital, on Friday, expressing optimism about the transformation of Africa’s energy landscape.
Dangote’s Production to Sustain Nigeria
“Right now, Nigeria has no cause to import anything apart from gasoline, and by sometime in June, within the next four or five weeks, Nigeria shouldn’t import any gasoline; not one drop,” he said.
“We have enough gasoline to supply at least the entire West Africa, diesel for West and Central Africa, and enough aviation fuel for the entire continent and to export to Brazil and Mexico.”
Dangote also stressed the refinery’s capability to produce polypropylene and polyethylene to meet Africa’s demand.
The refinery will produce base oil, used in engine oil, and linear alkyl benzene, a raw material for detergents, making Africa self-sufficient in these essential commodities.
“With a population of 1.4 billion, Africa currently imports all raw materials for detergents. We aim to change that,” he said.
“Give us three or four years, and Africa will no longer need to import fertilizer. We will make the continent self-sufficient in potash, phosphate, and urea, reaching a production capacity of six million tonnes within twenty months.”
Dangote also revealed that the refinery was already producing jet fuel and diesel and will begin producing petroleum by next month.
He stressed that the refinery’s capacity is too large for Nigeria alone and will also supply West, Central, and South Africa.
In summary, Dangote Refinery is set to meet the demand for petroleum products in Nigeria and other West African nations, with a capacity to produce enough gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel for the entire continent.
The refinery will also produce polypropylene, polyethylene, base oil, and linear alkyl benzene, making Africa self-sufficient in these essential commodities.
With a production capacity of six million tonnes of urea, the refinery aims to make Africa self-sufficient in potash, phosphate, and urea within three to four years.