Dangote Refinery set to become world’s largest as Aliko Dangote announces major expansion

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced an ambitious plan to expand the Dangote Refinery from its current 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity to an astonishing 1.4 million bpd within the next three years—an upgrade that would make it the largest refinery in the world, surpassing India’s famed Jamnagar Refinery.

Speaking in Lagos on October 26, 2025, Dangote confirmed the expansion plans during a press briefing attended by government officials and industry stakeholders. The development, verified by major outlets including Bloomberg and Punch, is seen as a strategic move aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda, aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in refined petroleum production.

According to Dangote, the expansion will not only meet rising energy demands across Africa but also save Nigeria billions of dollars annually by drastically reducing fuel imports. The project is expected to create over 65,000 construction jobs and stimulate secondary industries ranging from logistics to petrochemicals.

“This is a new dawn for Nigeria,” Dangote said, emphasizing that the goal is to transform the nation from an oil exporter dependent on foreign refineries into a continental refining hub capable of supplying both domestic and regional markets.

The announcement quickly gained traction online, with APC supporter @Imranmuhdz posting a short video clip of the event on X (formerly Twitter). The post amassed 7,387 views and 281 likes in under 12 hours, drawing an outpouring of optimistic reactions from users who hailed the project as a symbol of national pride and industrial revival. Many commenters linked the expansion to the government’s broader push for economic diversification and infrastructure-driven growth.

Still, some observers caution that execution challenges, such as power supply, security, and regulatory bottlenecks, could affect the timeline. Energy analysts also note that global refinery margins are tightening, and the expansion’s success will depend on operational efficiency and regional cooperation.

If fully realized, the Dangote Refinery’s expansion could redefine Nigeria’s energy landscape, positioning the nation not just as Africa’s oil giant—but as one of the key players in global energy refining for decades to come.

Watch the video below