Africa’s largest oil refinery, the Dangote Refinery, is set to operate at full capacity within 30 days, a senior executive revealed.
Built by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery began processing crude oil into diesel, naphtha, and jet fuel in January last year.
The facility started producing petrol in September but has struggled to secure sufficient crude supplies despite agreements with the Nigerian government.
Edwin Devakumar, the refinery’s head, announced that current operations are at 85 percent capacity and could reach full production within a month.
Last year, the refinery resorted to importing crude after failing to obtain adequate local supplies, even with a deal to purchase in naira.
Nigeria’s oil regulator has demanded that producers allocate 550,000 barrels per day for the refinery from January to June this year.
Authorities have also warned they will block export permits for companies failing to meet their local supply quotas.
Expanding its market reach, the Dangote Refinery recently shipped two jet fuel cargoes to Saudi Aramco, reflecting its global ambitions.
“We are looking at all the markets right now,” Devakumar stated, underscoring the refinery’s strategy to compete internationally.
