Dangote announces 1.4mbpd as new target to leverage economies of scale

…Stakeholders want Dangote Cement located in South-East 

The Dangote Group has announced plans to expand its petroleum refinery capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day in a move aimed at doubling output and leveraging economies of scale.

The group had hinted at increasing to 1mbpd in recent times but had raised the target. This is as South-East pleaded for a Dangote Cement plant in the region.

The disclosure was made by Olatunbosun Jinadu, Regional Director, South East, Dangote Cement, who represented Aliko Dangote, the President of the Dangote Group, at the ongoing 37th Enugu International Trade Fair.

The event was organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), with the theme; “Empowering MSMEs for Global Competitiveness.”

Jinadu stated that the expansion is part of the company’s broader 2030 vision, which is anchored on boosting local production and promoting industrial self-reliance in Nigeria.

He also revealed that the group is scaling up its fertiliser plant capacity to 12 million metric tonnes, while its polypropylene plant is undergoing expansion to meet rising demand.

According to him, polypropylene is widely used across multiple industries, including packaging for containers, bottles, and food items. Its lightweight and moisture-resistant properties also make it valuable in textiles for fibres, ropes, carpets and upholstery, as well as in the automotive, medical and construction sectors.

“We are expanding our capacity because of our conviction that Nigeria’s economic transformation must be anchored on local production and industrial self-reliance,” Jinadu said.

He added that the Dangote Refinery remains a flagship example of local content development in Nigeria’s energy sector, noting that it has stimulated local supply chains by engaging Nigerian contractors, engineers, technicians and service providers.

The project, he said, has created thousands of jobs, while also fostering skills development and technology transfer, positioning it as a catalyst for national economic transformation.

Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe, the President of ECCIMA, earlier in his remarks, commended the Dangote Group for its contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth and industrial development.

He, however, called on the conglomerate to deepen its investments in the South East, particularly through the establishment of a cement factory in the region.

“It is obvious that Dangote PLC has added immense value to the Nigerian economy, operating across multiple sectors and still expanding,” Onyemelukwe said.

“While we commend your presence in the South East, we urge the group to consider establishing one of its cement plants in the region, which significantly contributes to and consumes your products.”

He further praised the group’s growing footprint across Africa, noting that it employs thousands of people, the majority of whom are Nigerians.

Onyemelukwe also described the Dangote Refinery as a major boost to the availability of petroleum products in the country, expressing optimism that it would help address challenges related to supply.

Onyemelukwe applauded the leadership and workforce of the Dangote Group for their resilience, innovation, and commitment to driving economic growth in Nigeria and across the African continent.