Dangote refinery extends petrol exportation to Ghana, Angola, South Africa

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery (DPR) says it has extended the export of petrol to Ghana, Angola, and South Africa.

Devakumar Edwin, vice-president of oil and gas at the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), spoke on Sunday when a delegation of the Japanese business community in Nigeria — led by Suzuki Hideo, Japan’s ambassador-designate to Nigeria — visited the facility.

On December 11, the Dangote refinery said it had partnered with Neptune Oil, a Cameroonian energy firm, for its first export of petrol to Cameroon.

Speaking on the development, Edwin said products from the refinery meet international standards and are already being exported globally.

“In recent weeks, we’ve exported petrol to Cameroon, Ghana, Angola, and South Africa among others. Diesel has gone all over the world, and jet fuel is being heavily exported to European markets,” he said.

“Our products are already making their mark internationally.”

Edwin said the Dangote Group hopes to establish a positive feedback loop of industrial growth, job creation, and economic prosperity by using Africa’s abundant crude oil resources to produce refined goods domestically.

The vice-president said the refinery, designed and built by Nigerians, is intended to serve the global market.

Edwin said the company is open to collaboration and is always working to maintain the best possible standards.

“Even now, we have a lot of Japanese equipment inside both the refinery and the fertiliser plant. There are significant opportunities for collaboration, as we always seek the latest technology in any business we engage in,” he said.

“For instance, our cement plant laboratory is managed by robots, and we always embrace advanced technology. With Japan’s focus on technological innovation, there is ample scope for cooperation and for supplying various types of technology.”

‘DANGOTE REFINERY SHOWS NIGERIA’S TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS’

On his part, Takashi Oku, managing director of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), said while Nigeria remains the gateway to Africa, the Dangote plant stands as a remarkable project that showcases the country’s technological progress.

“We had heard about the excellence of the Dangote Refinery through the media but seeing it in person has left us truly amazed by its vastness and grandeur,” he said.

“It demonstrates that Nigeria’s population is not only growing but also advancing in technology. We are keen to collaborate with Nigerian companies, especially Dangote Refinery.”

Masahiro Tsuno, managing director of Itochu Nigeria Limited, also commended the size and automation of the Dangote refinery.

“I’ve seen many standalone refineries across the globe, including in Vietnam and the Middle East. However, this size of a refinery built by one single investor is probably a miracle in the world. And I’m just actually witnessing a miracle, to be honest, today,” he said.

Tsuno said his company would seek collaboration with the refinery across various sectors, including polypropylene and other petroleum products.