The Dangote Refinery is set to increase its production capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 700,000 bpd, according to David Bird, Chief Executive Officer of the refinery.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Bird said the refinery has sufficient production and fuel capacity to meet domestic demand, with a focus now shifting from crude intake to maximising output.
“Our nameplate capacity is 650,000 barrels a day, but with minor modifications, we see a design margin to reach 700,000 bpd,” Bird explained.
“We will carefully manage this process through performance tests and a rigorous management of change, in line with industry standards.”
Bird also highlighted the refinery’s ongoing efforts to fully utilise its assets, noting that incremental increases in capacity are normal in the industry.
Polypropylene Production Reduces Imports
On the petrochemicals front, Bird revealed that the refinery’s polypropylene unit, commissioned in September 2024, has already displaced some imports.
The unit operates on two production trains fed by the refinery’s catalytic cracker.
“The catalytic cracker underwent a routine maintenance pit stop after 18–24 months of operation. On February 3, we restarted the unit, which will feed the polypropylene unit, and we expect full production within the first half of February,” Bird said.
He added that the refinery aims to ramp up polypropylene production to 800,000 tonnes per year, with domestic supply remaining the top priority.
“We’ve signed a long-term agreement with an international marketer to develop export markets for available volumes, but our focus is on meeting local demand,” he said.
Bird reiterated that petrochemicals are a strategic focus, as the refinery seeks to upgrade low-value gas into high-value finished products.
Background
On October 26, 2025, Dangote Group founder Aliko Dangote announced plans to expand the refinery’s production capacity to 1.4 million bpd within three years, underscoring Nigeria’s ambition to become a major player in domestic refining and petrochemical output.
