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Dangote Refinery Symbolises Hope for Africa ― ECOWAS President
. . . We’ve capacity to meet ECOWAS’s petroleum needs ― Dangote
Towering over the Lekki Free Zone on the edge of the Atlantic, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is more than just a feat of engineering; it has become a symbol of ambition, vision, and industrial self-reliance for an entire continent.
The above view was expressed by the West Africa’s highest political and economic bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
During a high-level visit to the state-of-the-art 650,000 barrels-per-day facility, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, declared the refinery a beacon of hope for Africa’s future, and a clear demonstration of what the private sector can achieve in the drive for regional industrialisation. The delegation also included ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Sediko Douka; Commissioner of Internal Services, Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma; Director of Private Sector/SME, Dr Tony Luka Elumelu; and Dr Touray’s Chief of Staff, Hon Abdou Kolley, among others.
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“What I have seen today gives me a lot of hope, and everybody who doesn’t believe in Africa should come here. Visiting here will give you more hope because this is exactly what our continent should focus on,” Dr Touray remarked, visibly moved by the scale and sophistication of the facility. “We have seen something I couldn’t have imagined, and really the capacity in all areas is impressive. We congratulate Alhaji Dangote for this trust in Africa because I think you do this only when you have the trust, and he has a vision for Africa, and this is what we should all work to encourage.”
Dr Touray noted that the refinery, which produces fuel to Euro V standard, is critical for enabling the ECOWAS region to meet its 50ppm sulphur limit for petroleum products—a standard many imported fuels fail to meet, posing health and environmental risks across member states.
“We are still importing products below our standard when a regional company such as Dangote can meet and exceed these requirements,” he said. “The private sector must take the lead in ECOWAS industrialisation.”
The ECOWAS Commission President used the visit to call for stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector, stressing that policy decisions must reflect the real challenges and opportunities experienced by African industrialists.
“We believe our visit also serves as an opportunity to hear directly from Mr Dangote, about what the private sector expects from the ECOWAS community,” Dr Touray remarked, noting that as ECOWAS celebrates its 50th anniversary, the community is more committed than ever to bringing the private sector to the table — to listen to their perspectives and to understand how best to create an environment that works for them.
“We cannot continue to make decisions on behalf of the private sector from a distance. Visits like this provide us with first-hand experience and direct insight into the challenges they face—challenges that authorities and government officials must work to address,” he added.
Dr Touray said the time is ripe for the region to pursue an industrial strategy capable of addressing deep-rooted challenges such as youth unemployment, poverty, and insecurity.
“We often speak about poverty eradication and youth employment, but the government alone may not have the capacity to achieve these goals. Only the private sector can deliver the scale of impact required, and it is essential that we listen to them, understand how these objectives can be met, and identify the bottlenecks they face so that they can be effectively addressed. This is the only realistic path to creating jobs and fostering genuine prosperity across our economies.”
He pledged the Commission’s full support for enabling regional giants such as Dangote Group to access wider ECOWAS markets and urged other African nations to follow Nigeria’s example by building infrastructure that serves the continent, not just individual countries.
“Once again, I congratulate the Dangote Group and commit that ECOWAS Commission will do everything to open up the ECOWAS market for them, if not the entire African continent.”
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, led the ECOWAS delegation on a detailed tour of the facility, explaining the challenges and milestones involved in bringing the world’s largest single-train refinery to life.
He reiterated his longstanding position that Africa’s continued dependence on imported goods is unsustainable and hinders economic sovereignty.
“As long as we continue importing what we can produce, we will remain underdeveloped,” Dangote said. “This refinery is proof that we can build for ourselves at scale, to global standards.”
He noted that the Dangote Refinery is fully equipped to meet the petroleum needs of Nigeria and the entire West African region, countering claims that the facility would not produce enough for local and regional demand.
“There have been many claims suggesting that we don’t even produce enough to meet Nigeria’s needs, so how could we possibly supply other West African countries? But now, they are here to see the reality for themselves and, more importantly, to encourage other nations to embark on similarly large-scale industrial projects,” he said.
Noting that Africa will benefit greatly by encouraging trade among its countries, especially through value addition to the continent’s abundant resources, Dangote stressed how the refinery has helped Nigeria to bring down the cost of refined products and production costs across many sectors of the economy.
“Last year, when we began diesel production, we were able to reduce the price from N1,700 to N1,100 at a go, and as of today, the price has crashed further. This reduction has made a significant impact across various sectors. It has supported industries, benefited those of us in mining, and provided vital relief to the agricultural sector. The effect has been far-reaching,” he said.
He also noted that Nigerians are benefiting from local refining as the price of petrol has dropped significantly compared to neighbouring countries.
“In neighbouring countries, the average price of petrol is around $1 per litre, which is N1,600. But here at our refinery, we’re selling at between N815 and N820. Many Nigerians don’t realise that they are currently paying just 55% of what others in the region are paying for petrol. We also have a much larger initiative in the pipeline, something we’ve not yet announced but Nigerians should know that this refinery is built for them, and they will enjoy the maximum benefit from it,” he said.
He emphasised that this price reduction is a direct result of local refining, which continues to improve fuel affordability while enhancing energy security and reducing dependence on imports.
Photo Caption
L-R; President of the ECOWAS Commission; H. E. Dr. Omar Aliau Touray ; ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Affairs; Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma; President/ CE, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation; Sédiko Douka; During President of the ECOWAS Commission and His Team Visit to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lekki, Lagos on Thursday, May 29, 2025
The Dangote Cement Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable business practices, environmental stewardship, and responsible growth across Africa, as the company continues to integrate sustainability into every aspect of its operations.
The company’s sustainability strategy remains focused on reducing environmental impact, improving energy efficiency, promoting diversity and inclusion, supporting local communities, and creating long-term value for stakeholders across its ten African markets.
As part of its decarbonisation and green logistics agenda, Dangote Cement is expanding its alternative-energy transportation programme through the acquisition of an additional 1,500 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks. The initiative is designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve operational efficiency, and reduce dependence on conventional diesel-powered transportation.
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The company also reported significant progress in its environmental performance, earning an upgraded “B” rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for its climate and water management initiatives, reflecting growing international recognition of its sustainability efforts.
According to the company, energy optimisation remains a key pillar of its sustainability strategy, with a favourable energy mix contributing to lower production costs while supporting efforts to reduce its carbon footprint across operations.
Commenting on the company’s sustainability agenda, Arvind Pathak, Group Managing Director/CEO of Dangote Cement Plc, said: “At Dangote Cement, sustainability is not a standalone initiative; it is embedded in the way we operate, invest and grow. As we expand our footprint across Africa, we remain committed to reducing our environmental impact through cleaner energy sources, improved operational efficiency and innovative logistics solutions such as our growing CNG-powered fleet. Our goal is to create lasting value for shareholders while supporting the transition to a more sustainable and resilient future for Africa.”
He added: “We recognize that cement is essential for Africa’s development and infrastructure growth. Therefore, our responsibility is not only to produce quality cement but to do so in a way that minimizes emissions, conserves resources, protects the environment and delivers meaningful benefits to our host communities. Sustainability remains central to our strategy for long-term growth and value creation.”
Dangote Cement’s sustainability agenda extends beyond environmental performance to strong corporate governance and social responsibility. The company maintains a diverse Board with 28 per cent female representation and directors drawn from seven different nationalities, reinforcing its commitment to inclusion, diversity and global best practices in governance.
The company also continues to align its sustainability initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on responsible industrialisation, climate action, economic growth and community development.
The company noted that its sustainability performance complements a resilient business model that continues to create shared value for investors, employees, customers, host communities and governments across the continent. The company remains focused on transforming Africa’s industrial landscape while advancing its ambition of becoming one of the most sustainable cement manufacturers globally.
Among others, some of the company’s sustainability highlights include CDP rating upgraded to B for climate and water management, Acquisition of 1,500 additional CNG trucks to support low-carbon transportation and emissions reduction, Continued investment in energy efficiency initiatives across operations, 28% female Board representation and directors from seven nationalities, Sustainability initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Africa’s first fully integrated 2-inch to 48-inch steel pipe induction bending and coating plant is poised to open in Nigeria before end of 2027.
The project completion timeline was disclosed by the Managing Director of Brentex Petroleum Services Limited, Chidi Nzerem, during a tour of the Steel Pipe Induction Bending and Coating Facility at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne Port, Rivers State by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Ogbe.
Ogbe lauded the firm on the significant progress recorded on the project, describing it as a landmark industrial project and a major demonstration of Nigeria’s growing status as a leading hub for oil and gas logistics, engineering, and manufacturing services.
The Brentex Facility is a $50 million investment being developed to provide integrated steel pipe induction bending, heat treatment, testing, and coating services for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and has attracted over $26 million in investments to date.
Ogbe, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to working with industry stakeholders to deepen in-country capacity, promote industrialisation, and expand the scope of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.
He praised Brentex Petroleum Services Limited for its bold investment, resilience, and commitment to developing indigenous capacity, noting that the company’s steady progress on the facility reflected the growing confidence of Nigerian firms in delivering world-class oil and gas infrastructure and engineering solutions.
The Executive Secretary, represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate (MED), Esueme Dan Kikile, noted that the emergence of the Brentex Steel Pipe Induction Bending and Coating Facility represents “a direct and tangible response to the quest for in-country capacity in specialised pipeline engineering services,” adding that the project would advance “our collective goal of retaining value, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading energy services hub in Africa.”
In a recollection of the beginnings of the company and the project, he disclosed, “We’ve been on this journey with Brentex for over a decade. Today, we’ve seen what you are doing on ground. And that’s actually the whole idea about the equipment component manufacturing initiative of the NCDMB – in-country value addition – and you have been steadfast.”
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The NCDMB boss urged the Management of Brentex to sustain the momentum on the project and maintain the highest standards of quality, safety, and operational excellence, noting that the facility has the potential to become a flagship Nigerian Content asset and a reference point for specialised pipeline engineering services across Africa.
“I’d like to express the Board’s deep appreciation for your investment in our country, and to assure you that you have our support,” he declared, adding, “Whatever we can also do to get the industry to patronise this investment, we’ll do that, because it’s very important that the industry take advantage of what we have in-country.”
In his opening remarks, Nzerem thanked the Executive Secretary and the NCDMB delegation for the visit, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the project and its contribution to the growth of in-country capacity.
He also acknowledged the Board’s support and partnership over the past 10 years, noting that the sustained interventions had been instrumental to the facility’s progress, adding that it was conceived to advance the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.
Nzerem expressed high hopes that the Board’s support would be sustained.
Responding to an inquiry by the General Manager, Downstream, Project Certification and Authorisation Division (PCAD), Tassalla Tersurgh, on the facility’s contribution to human capital development, the Managing Director said the company would engage NCDMB after facility certification to develop training programmes aligned with the Board’s mandate.
He disclosed that the facility is expected to engage about 200 engineers and other technical personnel, creating employment, technical training, skills transfer and capacity-building opportunities, with the long-term goal of the facility being 100 percent handled and operated by trained Nigerians.
On the strategic importance of the facility, the Project Manager at Brentex, Patrick Anaje, stated that the facility, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, is expected to transform pipeline engineering services by providing the country’s first fully integrated in-country solution for steel pipe induction bending and coating.
He disclosed that Brentex is currently engaged in the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Natural Gas Pipeline project, where the company’s new capabilities would be of immense value.
He noted that with an estimated 95 percent of steel pipes currently imported, the facility will enable operators to source specialised pipe induction bending, coating and pipe repair services locally, significantly reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and overseas repairs, shortening project delivery timelines, lowering procurement-related delays and costs, and improving operational efficiency across the oil and gas industry. He added that the project will also deliver significant benefits to the national economy by retaining industry value within Nigeria.
The ceremony was attended by top management officials of NCDMB, executives of Brentex Petroleum Services Limited, industry stakeholders, project consultants, contractors, representatives of the host communities of Onne and Ogu, members of the Community Liaison Committee (CLC), and members of the media, who witnessed firsthand the significant progress recorded on the strategic Nigerian Content project.
As part of efforts to strengthen the regional distribution network of its 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery and strengthen presence in Africa, the Dangote Group is considering a petroleum products storage terminal in Cameroon.
To this end, the Dangote Group, through its Vice President for Oil, Gas and Fertiliser, Devakumar Edwin, on Tuesday, tabled a proposal before Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute.
From details of the proposal vented by a local media outlet, Business in Cameroon, the planned facility would help build Cameroon’s strategic petroleum reserves, improve fuel supply security and potentially include a pipeline network for transporting refined products, which would reduce logistics costs and the environmental impact associated with road haulage.
However, the project is still at its preliminary stages as no agreement has been announced by the parties.
The Dangote Group has yet to disclose the proposed location of the terminal, its storage capacity, investment value or implementation timeline.
It has also not stated whether the facility would be wholly owned, developed in partnership with the Cameroonian government or executed under a public-private partnership arrangement.
If realised, the project would provide a major export outlet for petroleum products from the Dangote refinery in Lekki, Lagos, which was built to meet domestic demand while supplying regional markets across Africa.
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According to reports, the proposed terminal would also position the company to serve not only the Cameroonian market but also landlocked Central African countries, including Chad and the Central African Republic, which rely heavily on Cameroonian ports for fuel imports.
By positioning petroleum inventories closer to end-users, the company is expected to reduce delivery times, lower distribution costs and improve the efficiency of fuel supply across the region.
For Cameroon, the investment could strengthen fuel supply security and diversify petroleum product sources, provided the project aligns with the country’s pricing framework, taxation policies and strategic reserve requirements.
It was learnt that the proposal comes as Cameroon intensifies efforts to expand its petroleum storage capacity through major infrastructure projects in the port city of Kribi.
The country’s National Petroleum Storage Company is currently developing a petroleum terminal with a planned storage capacity of 230,000 cubic metres for refined products, including petrol, diesel and kerosene, alongside facilities capable of storing 40,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas.
The project is expected to almost double Cameroon’s existing liquid fuel storage capacity of about 245,500 cubic metres.
A second terminal is also being developed by CSTAR Tank Farm Project Management, a consortium owned by Ariana Energy, Tradex and Cameroon’s National Hydrocarbons Corporation.
The CSTAR project is expected to provide between 250,000 and 300,000 cubic metres of storage for diesel, petrol, aviation fuel, kerosene and heavy fuel oil at an estimated cost of CFA168bn.
Combined, the two projects are projected to add at least 480,000 cubic metres of liquid fuel storage capacity to the country’s downstream petroleum sector.
It was said that Dangote’s proposed facility could either complement the government’s ongoing investments or compete with them for access to port infrastructure, financing, pipeline networks and petroleum product volumes.
Cameroon’s petroleum storage business is currently dominated by the National Petroleum Storage Company, which manages the country’s fuel storage facilities, nationwide distribution network and strategic petroleum reserves.
If approved, the Dangote project would mark the group’s entry into Cameroon’s downstream petroleum sector, adding to its existing presence in the country through its cement manufacturing operations in Douala.
The proposal is the latest indication of the group’s ambition to establish a broader regional fuel distribution network anchored on its Lekki refinery, which has increasingly expanded exports to African and international markets.
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