Aliko Dangote, the president and chief executive of Dangote Industries Limited, has announced plans to publicly list the subsidiary, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).

Dangote expressed confidence in overcoming previous challenges related to crude oil supply, stating, “We have resolved all the issues with crude oil supply. We are now ready to move forward with our plans to list the refinery on the Nigerian Exchange Limited.”

The refinery, poised to commence operations in December, holds the promise of significant contributions to the Nigerian economy.

At full capacity, it is expected to produce 650,000 barrels of oil per day, with an initial rollout of 540,000 barrels daily.

The facility will produce 27 million liters of diesel, 11 million liters of kerosene, and nine million liters of jet fuel, sourcing crude from various Nigerian producers, including the state oil company.

A finalized deal for the delivery of the first cargo of approximately six million barrels next month signals the imminent realization of this ambitious project.

The refinery’s impact is anticipated to extend beyond the oil and gas sector, with projections suggesting significant cost savings for Nigeria by eliminating the need to import petrol.

Industry operators and government officials are optimistic about the transformative potential of the Dangote Refinery.

Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), lauded the project as the best-industrialized initiative for Africa, projecting substantial savings for Nigeria and the continent as a whole.

As Nigeria’s largest refinery project, the facility has garnered praise from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Dr. Chinyere Almona, the LCCI Director-General, commended the visionary efforts of Aliko Dangote and the supportive federal government, emphasizing the refinery’s capacity to meet Nigeria’s refined petroleum product needs.

The impending listing on the NGX positions Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a catalyst for economic growth, energy security, and self-sufficiency in Nigeria and beyond.

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Aliko Dangote, the President and CEO of the Dangote Group, announced that the long-anticipated $20 billion Dangote Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, is set to commence operations by refining 350,000 barrels per day.

Dangote revealed that a deal had been secured for the delivery of the first cargo of approximately 6 million barrels in December 2023.

He expressed confidence that the refinery could achieve its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day by the end of 2024.

The Dangote Refinery, touted as the world’s largest “single train” facility with a singular distillation unit, is expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel and save billions in foreign exchange.

Dangote lamented the irony that Nigeria, a major oil producer for over 50 years, has struggled to refine its own crude adequately.

However, the project, which has faced delays and exceeded its budget by about $8 billion, has not been without challenges.

Dangote dismissed doubts about the refinery’s efficiency, stating that the challenges encountered during the project could have jeopardized his business empire.

He acknowledged being under intense pressure, facing allegations of underhand business practices and gaining unfair access to foreign exchange, which he vehemently denied.

Despite these challenges, Dangote expressed gratitude for overcoming the hurdles and reaching the destination.

The refinery is expected to generate substantial revenue, and plans are underway to eventually list it as a separate company on the Lagos stock exchange.