…As Zambia Seeks Partnership in Energy Sector
Nigeria’s energy sector has received a major boost as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery revealed it has over N600 billion worth of refined petroleum products in storage, enough to meet the country’s fuel demands.
Speaking over the weekend, Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), disclosed that the refinery currently holds more than half a billion litres of petrol, ensuring Nigeria’s fuel supply remains stable.
“As we speak right now, we have more than half a billion litres. The refinery is producing enough refined products, including gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, to meet 100% of Nigeria’s requirements,” Dangote stated.
Refinery’s Role in Africa’s Energy Security
During a visit by Zambia’s Minister of Energy, Mr. Makozo Chikote, who led a delegation to the Ibeju Lekki refinery complex in Lagos, Dangote emphasized that the refinery is not just for Nigeria but is intended to serve the broader African market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“This refinery is not only for Nigeria; it is for Africa. We must sustain the AfCFTA deal and promote trade among African nations,” he said.
Zambia Eyes Dangote’s Energy Solutions
The Zambian Energy Minister, impressed by the scale and efficiency of the refinery, expressed strong interest in collaborating with Dangote to boost his country’s energy sector.
“In Zambia, we have created an enabling environment for private sector participation in energy. Currently, 100% of our petroleum supply is driven by private companies,” Chikote noted. “We are looking at Dangote coming on board to provide efficient, reliable, and competitive products.”
Following a tour of the refinery, which includes Africa’s largest fertilizer plant and the world’s biggest single-train refinery (650,000 barrels per day capacity), the Zambian delegation acknowledged that Dangote’s vision aligns with Africa’s need for industrial self-sufficiency.
Private Sector’s Role in Africa’s Growth
Samuel Maimbo, a senior official at the World Bank Group and an aspirant for the African Development Bank (AfDB) presidency, highlighted the crucial role of the private sector in Africa’s economic growth.
“There is neither enough development aid nor government funding to finance Africa’s growth at the required scale. The only viable solution is private sector-driven investment, which is why we are here, to learn from Dangote’s ambitious initiatives,” Maimbo stated.
Dangote Refinery’s Capacity and Export Plans
Edwin Devakumar, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries, reaffirmed the refinery’s capability to supply Nigeria’s total fuel demand while exporting surplus production to other markets.
“The refinery’s output is structured so that 44% meets Nigeria’s entire fuel needs, while 56% is allocated for export. We produce 104 million litres of refined products daily, including:
57 million litres of petrol
20 million litres of jet fuel
27 million litres of diesel
With Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption at approximately 46 million litres, the surplus 58 million litres will be exported, strengthening Dangote’s role as a key player in Africa’s energy sector.
A Step Towards Energy Independence in Africa
As Zambia and other African nations explore partnerships with the Dangote Refinery, the facility stands as a major force in advancing energy security, industrial growth, and intra-African trade.
