Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), surpassing its installed nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd and reinforcing its status as the world's largest single-train petroleum refinery.

The milestone was achieved during a performance test conducted by the refinery's Process Licensors, highlighting the facility’s operational efficiency and ability to process higher volumes of crude oil while optimizing output across its production units.

Vice-President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the increase forms part of a broader expansion strategy aimed at raising the refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million bpd within the next 30 months.

According to Edwin, the planned expansion could position the facility as the largest refinery in the world, while significantly enhancing Nigeria’s energy security and reducing dependence on imported refined petroleum products.

He said the refinery’s growth reflects a long-term vision of transforming Nigeria into a major refining and export hub for Africa and beyond.

Owned by Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, the refinery commenced fuel production in 2024 and has steadily expanded output of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and other petroleum products.

The facility currently supplies refined products to both domestic and international markets, exporting to several African countries as well as key European destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. It has also supplied gasoline to the United States and jet fuel to Saudi Arabia.

Industry observers note that the refinery has increasingly played a stabilising role in global energy markets amid disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, with several African countries turning to the facility to strengthen their energy security.

In April, Dangote Petroleum Refinery emerged as the world's largest exporter of jet fuel, further underscoring its growing influence in the international petroleum market.

The refinery has also contributed significantly to Nigeria’s efforts to end reliance on imported fuel, helping to improve domestic supply and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

As production volumes continue to rise, the facility has attracted growing interest from international crude oil suppliers and commodity trading firms, sourcing feedstock from both local and foreign producers to sustain operations.

Looking ahead, Dangote has reiterated plans to transform the refinery into the world’s largest by 2028, with a target processing capacity of 1.4 million bpd.

The expansion is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, including increased employment opportunities, higher industrial output and improved trade balances.

In addition, the refinery is projected to support downstream manufacturing through the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), polypropylene and other industrial feedstocks used in producing packaging materials and consumer goods. Plans are also underway to supply Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB), a key raw material in detergent manufacturing.