Dangote Targets 650,000bpd Refinery In East Africa As Continental Industrial Drive Expands

Dangote Targets 650,000bpd Refinery in East Africa as Continental Industrial Drive Expands Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to construct a 650,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) refinery in East Africa, mirroring the scale of his flagship Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Nigeria, as part of a broader strategy to deepen industrial capacity across the continent.

Dangote said the proposed project is still at an early planning stage but expressed strong confidence in its feasibility, stressing that the initiative would depend on support from East African governments.

Speaking at the Africa We Build Summit 2026 in Nairobi, Dangote said the goal is to replicate the Nigerian model in order to strengthen Africa’s refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported fuel.

“I can give commitment… if they support the refinery, we will build the identical one that we have in Nigeria, 650,000 bpd. It will work. There’s nothing that can stop it,” he said. He added that the project aligns with his broader ambition of expanding industrial infrastructure across Africa, noting that the Nigerian refinery is already serving as a blueprint for similar developments Dangote’s existing refinery in Nigeria, designed at 650,000 bpd capacity, has recently reached full operational scale and is being positioned for further expansion toward 1.4 million bpd, which would make it one of the largest refineries globally. He explained that the success of the Nigerian facility demonstrates that large-scale refining projects in Africa are achievable with the right financing structure, government backing, and technical execution. The industrialist reiterated his long-standing call for Africa to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, arguing that local refining capacity is essential to shield economies from global supply shocks and price volatility. The proposed East African refinery is expected to follow the same integrated model as the Nigerian plant, producing petrol, diesel, and other refined products for regional distribution. Analysts say the move could significantly boost energy security in East Africa, where countries currently import nearly all their refined petroleum needs.

While the project remains at an early stage, industry observers believe that if completed, it could mark a major milestone in Africa’s industrialisation drive and reshape the continent’s energy landscape.

However, the success of the plan will depend on regulatory alignment, financing arrangements, and regional cooperation among East African states.