The Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals is emerging as a major driver of Nigeria’s improving economic outlook, following the country’s sovereign credit rating upgrade by S&P Global Ratings.

In its latest assessment, S&P upgraded Nigeria’s long term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings to “B” from “B-”, citing stronger economic growth, improved external balances, rising oil production, and expanded domestic refining capacity as key factors supporting the country’s recovery.

The global ratings agency specifically identified the operational ramp up of the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals as a major contributor to Nigeria’s improving balance of payments position and broader economic resilience.

According to S&P, the refinery’s full capacity operations are helping to strengthen Nigeria’s current account surplus, reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products, and improve foreign exchange liquidity.

“Significant refining capacity is now also online; Dangote Industries Ltd.’s large scale refinery and petrochemical complex has ramped up to near its maximum capacity of 650,000 barrels per day,” the report stated.

S&P projected that Nigeria’s current account surplus would improve to 5.8 per cent of GDP in 2026 from 4.8 per cent in 2025, supported partly by increased domestic refining and hydrocarbon exports.

The report noted that the refinery is helping to ensure the availability of refined fuel, gas, and fertiliser for the domestic market, while also providing a buffer against global supply disruptions triggered by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

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The agency further stated that Nigeria’s improving external position has been supported by reduced fuel import dependence, the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate liberalisation, and higher oil production.

Foreign exchange reserves, according to S&P, have risen significantly from about $33 billion in 2023 to nearly $50 billion by early 2026, aided partly by lower import demand for refined petroleum products following the commencement of operations at the Dangote Refinery.

The report also highlighted the refinery’s broader role in supporting Africa’s industrialisation ambitions, noting that Nigeria is transitioning from being primarily a crude oil exporter to an emerging producer and exporter of refined petroleum products.

S&P disclosed that Dangote Industries has already unveiled plans to undertake feasibility studies aimed at expanding refining capacity to about 1.4 million barrels per day from the current 650,000 barrels per day.

The agency said the planned expansion, alongside the rehabilitation of other local refineries, could further strengthen Nigeria’s economy and deliver additional gains to the country’s balance of payments position over the next few years.

While acknowledging that global crude oil prices and market driven pricing continue to influence domestic fuel costs, S&P maintained that the increased local refining capacity provides Nigeria with greater energy security and reduced exposure to external supply shocks.

The report also linked Nigeria’s improving macroeconomic outlook to reforms undertaken since 2023, including exchange rate liberalisation, fiscal reforms, higher petroleum revenue remittances, and efforts to improve oil production through enhanced security in the Niger Delta.

S&P said Nigeria’s economic growth is expected to remain firm despite inflationary pressures, with reforms continuing to support investor confidence and non-oil sector expansion.

The stable outlook, according to the agency, reflects a balance between Nigeria’s improving external position and continuing structural challenges such as a narrow tax base, high inflation, and low formal employment levels.

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has raised the alarm over the worsening cooking gas crisis in Nigeria.

According to the association, the sharp and unexplained increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, is forcing millions of households deeper into hardship, while many are resorting to dangerous traditional cooking fuels.

This was detailed in a statement jointly signed by the National President of NALPGAM, Mr. Edu Inyang and the Executive Secretary, Bassey Essien, the association described the current market situation as sad, pathetic and dangerous.

The association noted that cooking gas, which ought to be a basic social commodity, now sells at over N1,500 per kilogram across the country.

The marketers disclosed that operators are currently paying between N25.2 million and N26.2 million for a 20-metric-tonne truckload of LPG depending on location, a development they said has triggered severe price hikes nationwide and placed unbearable pressure on consumers.

According to the association, the rising cost of cooking gas is already inflicting devastating consequences on ordinary Nigerians, particularly low-income families, food vendors, small businesses and urban households that rely on LPG for daily cooking and survival.

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NALPGAM further warned that if urgent intervention is not taken, public frustration may escalate into unrest directed at gas retailers, as consumers increasingly struggle to afford refills.

The association stressed that the worsening supply shortages, soaring depot prices, logistics bottlenecks and escalating operational costs are threatening years of progress made in Nigeria’s clean energy transition campaign.

Chairman of FirstHoldCo, Femi Otedola, has appealed to the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, to allocate $100 million worth of shares to him in the proposed listing of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals.

He disclosed that he divested his stake in Geregu Power Plc specifically to position himself for investment in the refinery’s initial public offering (IPO), which he described as a transformative industrial platform helping to free Africa from decades of reliance on imported petroleum products.

Otedola made these revelation during a visit by the FirstHoldCo leadership team to the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, where he commended Dangote for building the world’s largest single-train refinery and accelerating Africa’s industrial transformation.

“He is a genius and one of the greatest men to emerge from Africa. What he has achieved is helping to liberate the continent from economic dependency and import reliance,” Otedola said. “I have visited this refinery more than 25 times, and I have consistently appealed for $100 million worth of shares during the private placement. That informed my decision to sell my stake in Geregu so I can reinvest in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.”

Otedola also expressed strong confidence in the Group’s planned expansion of refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, noting that Africa’s growing demand for refined petroleum products clearly supports further investment in domestic refining infrastructure.

In his remarks, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, assured that the refinery’s IPO would be broadly inclusive, enabling ordinary Nigerians to become part-owners and benefit from its value creation. He emphasised that the Group is committed to democratising access to investment opportunities by opening participation to retail investors across Nigeria and the African continent.

“We want ordinary Africans to participate in the value being created,” Dangote said. “What companies like Amazon and Apple achieved globally in terms of wealth creation is what we seek to replicate in Africa. We want people to invest, grow with us, and share in the prosperity.”

Dangote further disclosed plans for a proposed East Africa refinery with a projected capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, alongside polypropylene and base oil production facilities. According to him, the project could commence within the next three to four years once construction begins.

He noted that the initiative was not originally captured in the Group’s Vision 2030 strategy, underscoring the company’s trajectory toward exceeding its long-term growth targets.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, described the refinery as a symbol of vision, courage, and industrial ambition capable of inspiring similar investments across Africa.

“If you see this refinery and realise that an individual conceived and delivered a project of this magnitude, already helping to stabilise energy supply across Africa, you cannot help but be inspired,” Alebiosu said. “We have delegates here from the United Kingdom and several African countries who will return home with renewed commitment to building industries that can transform their economies. It is about building Africa together.”

Dangote also highlighted the Group’s sustained leadership across its core businesses over the past five years, including cement operations in 11 African countries, alongside significant investments in refining, petrochemicals, and fertiliser production. He noted that cement capacity has expanded to 55 million tonnes per annum, supported by the development of clinker export terminals to strengthen regional trade.

“We have built businesses that address Africa’s critical needs and create long-term value for the continent,” Dangote said. “Africa must stop exporting raw materials and importing finished goods. That amounts to exporting jobs and importing poverty.”

He added that investor appetite for the refinery’s listing on the Nigerian Exchange has remained exceptionally strong, with demand for the private placement already exceeding $2 billion.

“There is significant interest in both the IPO and the private placement,” he said. “While we are not able to meet all requests, the strong demand reflects investors’ confidence in the refinery and in Africa’s industrial future.”