The largest refinery in West Africa is the Dangote Refinery, located in Nigeria. With a massive capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), it is also the largest single-train refinery in the world. The refinery, developed by the Dangote Group, is designed to address Nigeria’s dependency on imported refined petroleum products and aims to position the country as a significant player in global oil markets.
Key Features of the Dangote Refinery
- Capacity: 650,000 bpd.
- Technology: It uses cutting-edge single-train processing, making it efficient and scalable.
- Economic Impact: The refinery is expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s fuel import bills, create thousands of jobs, and contribute to stabilizing the national economy.
Why the Dangote Refinery is Transformative
The refinery is strategically positioned to serve both local and regional markets, potentially reshaping the refining landscape of West Africa. It complements Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to revamp state-owned refineries and reduce reliance on imports, which have historically strained the country’s economy. With only 30% of West Africa’s refining capacity currently functional, the Dangote Refinery is a critical infrastructure project that could transform energy security in the region.
Refineries in South Africa
While South Africa has historically been a key refining hub in Southern Africa, the situation there contrasts sharply with West Africa. Many of South Africa’s refineries, including SAPREF and Engen, have been shut down, and the country is projected to rely heavily on imports by 2025. Angola is expected to surpass South Africa as the largest refining hub in the Southern region by the end of the decade.