The Dangote refinery, Africa’s largest and most ambitious oil refining project, has officially commenced test runs for gasoline production, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards full operational capacity.
According to a recent update from industry monitor IIR Energy, the refinery is expected to start full gasoline production by mid-September.
The $20 billion refinery, developed by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual, is situated on the outskirts of Lagos.
Since beginning operations in January, the refinery has focused primarily on producing diesel and other distillate fuels.
However, its long-awaited entry into gasoline production promises to reshape Nigeria’s fuel landscape and reduce the country’s dependency on imported refined products.
The initial plan had set a target for gasoline production to commence in July, but the timeline has experienced delays.
The refinery had previously aimed for a May start, but ongoing adjustments and fine-tuning have pushed the expected full-scale operation to September.
The refinery’s test runs for gasoline production are a critical step towards achieving its full potential. The facility, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is poised to become a game-changer in the region’s oil market.
Once fully operational, it is anticipated to disrupt the traditional Europe-to-Africa fuel trade, allowing Nigeria to significantly cut down on its imports and strengthen its position in the global oil market.
Aliko Dangote’s investment in the refinery represents a bold move to address Nigeria’s long-standing challenges with fuel import dependency and infrastructure inadequacies.
The project is seen as a key component in Nigeria’s efforts to enhance its domestic refining capabilities and stabilize fuel prices.
Despite the progress, communication with Dangote Group has been limited, with emails and calls going unanswered as of the latest update.
However, industry insiders remain optimistic about the refinery’s upcoming role in transforming Nigeria’s energy sector.
