The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has successfully exported two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer. The announcement was made on Tuesday during a visit by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) to the $20 billion facility in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, said the achievement reflects the refinery’s world-class standards and advanced technologies.
“We are reaching the ambitious goals we set for ourselves, and I’m pleased to announce that we’ve just sold two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco.”
Boosting Production Capacity and Reducing Import Dependence
Since commencing production in 2024, the Dangote Refinery has steadily increased its output capacity from 350,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 550,000 bpd, positioning it as a major player in the global oil market. Dangote emphasized that exporting to Saudi Aramco underscores the facility’s ability to meet international standards.
He also stressed the critical role of the private sector in Nigeria’s development, urging for policies that promote local industries and reduce import dependence.
“The concept of a free market should not be a pretext for continued import dependence,” Dangote said. “Even developed countries like the USA and China actively protect their domestic industries to safeguard jobs and promote self-sufficiency.”
Lessons from Benin Republic
Citing Benin Republic’s protectionist policies, Dangote noted how the country restricts cement imports to protect its local industries despite its proximity to his Ibese manufacturing plant. “The President of Benin is a personal friend, and my Ibese plant is just 28 kilometers away, yet they refuse imports to protect their local grinding plants,” he added.
Dangote highlighted the challenges involved in setting up industries in Nigeria, noting the lack of infrastructure forces investors to provide essential services such as power, roads, and ports, which are typically government responsibilities.
NESG Applauds Dangote’s Vision
NESG Chairman, Niyi Yusuf, commended Dangote for establishing the largest single-train refinery in the world. He stressed that Nigeria needs more large-scale investments to achieve its goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy.
“To achieve a $1 trillion economy, much of that must come from domestic investments,” Yusuf said. “While others are dredging to create islands for leisure, you’ve dredged 65 million cubic tonnes of sand to create a future for the country.”
Yusuf praised the Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser Complex as monumental, emphasizing their potential to transform Nigeria’s industrial landscape and foster the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
A Call for Self-Sufficiency
Yusuf lamented Nigeria’s dependence on imported products, describing the country as a “dumping ground” for foreign goods. “It’s inconceivable that a nation of over 230 million people, with an annual birth rate higher than the total population of some countries, still depends on imports to feed its citizens,” he said.
He concluded by applauding Dangote’s bold vision for making Nigeria self-sufficient in key sectors and inspiring future entrepreneurs.
“This refinery represents the audacity of courage. You’ve transformed Nigeria from a net importer of petroleum products to a net exporter. It’s proof that nothing is impossible. The private sector can bring real change,” Yusuf added.
The NESG team, alongside board members and stakeholders, toured the refinery and fertiliser plants, commending the facility’s state-of-the-art technology and the skill of young Nigerian engineers running world-class laboratories and central control units.
