Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed fresh plans to expand his refinery footprint beyond Nigeria, with a proposed 650,000 barrels-per-day facility in East Africa.
The move is coming at a time when many African countries continue to rely heavily on imported refined petroleum products despite being major crude oil producers. Dangote’s latest plan is seen as part of a broader effort to address that long-standing gap in the continent’s energy value chain.
Speaking on the development, the billionaire businessman indicated that the proposed refinery would mirror the scale of his Lagos-based project, which is already regarded as one of the largest single-train refineries in the world. The East African expansion, if executed, is expected to significantly boost local refining capacity in that region...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Experts say the initiative could help reduce pressure on foreign exchange across several African economies by cutting down on fuel imports. It may also improve supply stability and ease the impact of global oil price fluctuations on domestic markets.
The development comes as East African nations continue to explore regional collaboration on refining infrastructure, with growing concerns around energy security and rising fuel demand. Dangote’s entry into the space could accelerate those ambitions, given his experience and existing industrial model.
Beyond refining, Dangote also hinted at plans to deepen investments across Africa’s industrial sector. This includes a target to establish about 20 fertiliser blending plants across different countries by 2028, a move aimed at supporting agriculture and food production on the continent.
Industry watchers believe the expansion signals a long-term strategy focused on building local production capacity and reducing Africa’s dependence on imports—not just in energy, but across key sectors.
While details such as project timeline and specific host country are yet to be fully disclosed, the announcement has already drawn attention across the business and energy community, with many describing it as a potential game-changer for Africa’s oil and gas landscape.
If completed, the refinery could reshape how fuel is produced and distributed across East Africa, while reinforcing Dangote’s position as a dominant force in the continent’s industrial development.
