Dangote Refinery: Africa's Largest Oil Processing Hub and Its Impact on Energy, Economy, and Trade

When you think of Dangote Refinery, Africa's largest single-train oil refinery, located in Lagos, Nigeria, capable of processing 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Also known as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, it’s not just a factory—it’s a national game-changer that’s cutting Nigeria’s fuel imports by over 80% and rewriting the rules of African energy independence.

This refinery isn’t just about making petrol and diesel. It’s tied to everything from job creation and local manufacturing to reducing foreign exchange drain. Before it opened, Nigeria spent more than $10 billion a year importing fuel—even though it’s one of Africa’s top oil producers. Now, with the Dangote Refinery running at full capacity, that money stays home. It’s also forcing neighboring countries like Ghana, Benin, and Niger to rethink their own fuel supply chains, because suddenly, cheaper, locally made petrol is flooding the region.

The project’s scale is unmatched. It’s not just the size of the plant—it’s the logistics behind it. The refinery sits right next to a deepwater port that handles its own crude import terminals and export pipelines. It’s connected to Nigeria’s domestic gas grid, uses its own power plants, and even has its own water treatment system. This kind of self-sufficiency is rare in global refining. And while critics point to delays and political questions, the fact remains: when the Dangote Refinery runs, Africa runs on its own fuel.

It’s also changing how African economies think about industrialization. This isn’t a foreign-built plant handed over by a multinational. It was designed, funded, and built by a Nigerian businessman with local engineers and workers. That’s why it’s become a symbol—not just of energy, but of what’s possible when African capital and ambition align. You’ll see stories below about how it’s affecting everything from transport costs to inflation, how it’s pressured state oil companies to improve, and how it’s sparking new investments in petrochemicals and plastics across West Africa.

Below, you’ll find real stories from the frontlines: how farmers in Kaduna are paying less for diesel, how Ghana’s fuel prices dropped after Nigerian exports began, and how this refinery is quietly becoming the backbone of Africa’s next industrial wave.