Adedokun Waliyu 
Dangote Industries Limited has announced plans to increase its total refining capacity to 2.1 million barrels per day as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen Africa’s energy sector and drive industrialisation across the continent.
The company’s Group Vice President for Oil and Gas, Devakumar Edwin, disclosed the expansion plan during a visit by officials of the Republic of the Congo’s national oil company, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos. The visit focused on discussions aimed at establishing a strategic partnership to strengthen the Republic of the Congo’s supply of refined petroleum products while promoting regional energy cooperation and industrial integration across Africa.
The Congolese delegation was led by the Managing Director of SNPC, Maixent Raoul Ominga.
During the meeting, Edwin explained that the group’s long-term expansion strategy would increase its total refining capacity to 2.1 million barrels per day, consisting of 1.4 million barrels per day in Nigeria and a proposed 700,000 barrels per day refining complex in Kenya, which will serve markets across East Africa.
He stated that the Dangote Refinery has already set a new benchmark for fuel quality in Africa by producing petroleum products that meet the highest international standards. According to him, the refinery is helping to improve access to cleaner fuels while reducing the continent’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products from outside Africa.
Edwin also revealed that Dangote Industries plans to invest an additional 46 billion US dollars between 2026 and 2028 across its refining, cement and fertiliser businesses as part of its commitment to accelerating industrial development throughout Africa.
Speaking during the visit, SNPC Managing Director Maixent Raoul Ominga described the Dangote Refinery as a strategic asset for the African continent and expressed his organisation’s interest in establishing a long-term partnership with the company.
He said the Republic of the Congo already possesses refining capacity and is eager to explore areas of strategic cooperation that would strengthen the supply of refined petroleum products while creating mutual value for both organisations.
According to Ominga, discussions between the two organisations covered opportunities for collaboration in refining, petroleum product supply, energy security, industrial development and knowledge sharing.
He praised Dangote Industries for demonstrating that African companies are capable of financing, constructing and operating world-class industrial infrastructure, describing the refinery as a major milestone in Africa’s industrial transformation.
Ominga also commended the Dangote Group’s investments in the Republic of the Congo, particularly in the cement sector, noting that they have strengthened local industrial capacity, expanded production and improved access to construction materials.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Africa’s industrialisation through value addition, regional partnerships and sustained investment across the continent.
He emphasised that the company remains committed to serving the entire African continent, stating that its focus extends beyond Nigeria and expressing its willingness to work with other African countries to meet their industrial and energy needs.
Also present at the meeting were the Group Executive Director, Commercial, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Aliko Dangote; Adviser to the President of the Republic of the Congo, Peggy Ndongo; and advisers to the SNPC Managing Director, Aymar Ebiou and Norbert Mabiala.
