Dangote Group has signed a $350 million engineering agreement to add a second processing train to its Lekki Refinery, a move that will more than double the facility’s capacity and further strengthen Nigeria’s domestic refining capability.
The contract was awarded to Engineers India Limited, which will act as project management and engineering consultant for the expansion. The agreement covers engineering, procurement support, construction management, and commissioning for the new train.
When completed, the expansion will lift the refinery’s total installed capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, positioning the Lekki facility as the largest single-site refinery complex globally.
The existing refinery currently operates at 650,000 barrels per day and began commercial operations in 2024.
The second train will be integrated into the existing complex at the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos, allowing the refinery to significantly scale output without duplicating core infrastructure.
Engineers India previously worked on the original refinery project, giving it continuity and familiarity with the plant’s technical configuration.
Beyond increasing crude processing capacity, the expansion will also deepen the refinery’s downstream and petrochemical footprint.
Plans include the production of Euro VI–standard fuels, aligning output with stricter global emissions benchmarks, and a major increase in polypropylene capacity, reinforcing Nigeria’s position in higher-value petrochemical production.
The expansion addresses Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on imported refined petroleum products despite being a crude oil producer.
By scaling refining capacity locally, the project is expected to reduce foreign exchange outflows linked to fuel imports and improve supply stability across the domestic market.
Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, has consistently positioned the Lekki Refinery as a strategic asset for Nigeria’s economic rebalancing, with the facility designed to meet local demand while supplying surplus products to regional markets across West Africa.
While the project timeline and funding structure were not disclosed, the scale of the agreement signals Dangote Group’s continued commitment to long-term capital investment in Nigeria’s energy infrastructure, even amid volatile global energy markets.
Once completed, the second train is expected to enhance the refinery’s operational flexibility, expand export potential, and further entrench the Lekki complex as a central pillar of Africa’s refining and petrochemical landscape.
