Dangote refinery has begun producing diesel and aviation fuel, the company said on Saturday, after years of construction delays at the 650,000 barrel per day (bpd) plant.
The $20 billion refinery, Africa’s largest, located on the outskirts of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, is owned by the continent’s richest man Aliko Dangote.
Reuters reported that although Nigeria is Africa’s top energy producer, it has relied on imports for most of the fuel it consumes. The Dangote refinery is expected to not only make it self-sufficient but also allow it to export fuel to neighbouring West African countries, potentially transforming oil trading in the Atlantic Basin.
Company officials told Reuters test runs could begin this week after the refinery received a sixth crude oil cargo on January 8.
“This is a big day for Nigeria. We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone,” the company said in a statement posted on social media platform X.
The plant received 1 million barrels of Nigeria’s Agbami crude on Monday, taking the total volume received since December to 6 million barrels.
Meanwhile, Dangote refinery has sought the approval of the Nigerian government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, to supply the domestic market with diesel and aviation fuel.
The NMDPRA is responsible for the regulation of midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.
