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.

Forty-five young Nigerian graduates have started a 12-month Nigerian Content Human Capital Development (NC-HCD) Training Programme for technical competencies identified as critical for value retention and increased indigenous participation across the oil and gas industry value chain.

Organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Chevron Nigeria Limited and Tombas Resources Nigeria Limited, the programme is geared towards provision of Automated Crude Oil Storage Tanks Upgrade and Repair Services, and is designed to have the trainees adequately grounded in process control technologies, industrial instrumentation and maintenance practices, as well as automation systems, among other competencies.

In a keynote address at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, HCD, Alexis Emelle, described the programme as a strategic investment in Nigerian talent and a demonstration of the Board’s commitment to building indigenous capacity in line with its mandate.

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He noted that beyond technical skills, the programme would inculcate professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and a strong culture of safety in the trainees, who are expected to maximise the opportunity and emerge as competent professionals capable of contributing to growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

He admonished the trainees to demonstrate commitment, discipline, and a willingness to learn throughout the programme, pointing out that their selection was a reflection of the confidence that the NCDMB, Chevron Nigeria Limited, and Tombas Resources, along with the training partners, have in their potential.

In separate remarks, representatives of Chevron and Tombas congratulated the trainees on their successful selection, while urging them to take their training seriously and be focused and dedicated throughout the duration of the programme.

In an overview of the training scope, a representative of Dexterous Applied Training Institute explained that participants would be exposed to Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), Health Safety and Environment (HSE), Introduction to Electrical and Industrial Instrumentation Maintenance, and Introduction to Oil and Gas Operations, in addition to the aforesaid competencies, for which they would receive globally recognised industry certifications. The NC-HCD training programme constitutes part of NCDMB’s broader human capital development strategy aimed at creating a new generation of highly skilled Nigerians capable of supporting the growth, competitiveness and sustainability of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP) has successfully completed a landmark Private Equity Placement that raised approximately US$2.5 billion in new equity, following a highly successful offering.

The transaction, which is believed to be Africa’s largest publicly disclosed primary equity private placement, marks a significant milestone in the history of the company and demonstrates strong investor confidence in the refinery’s long-term growth strategy and operational excellence. The capital raise is the first equity funding round involving external investors beyond the company’s legacy shareholder base, underscoring the growing attractiveness of DPRP as a world-class energy and industrial enterprise.

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The proceeds from the placement will be deployed to support the continued expansion of the refinery and petrochemical complex, strengthen the company’s capital structure, and enhance financial flexibility to pursue future growth opportunities.

The offering attracted broad participation from international and African institutional investors, sovereign-related investment vehicles, development finance institutions, strategic partners, and individual investors. Notable participants included the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and India Infra Buildco, an investment vehicle facilitated by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), reflecting deep and diversified confidence in DPRP’s long-term prospects.

Commenting on the successful transaction, Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited and Chairman of DPRP, described the placement as a strategic milestone in the company’s evolution.

“This transaction represents a strategic step to deepen and further institutionalise the Enterprise’s shareholder base, while raising capital to complement our internal cash flows and external funding as DPRP advances its expansion agenda.
It also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to developing Africa’s refining and petrochemical capacity, reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and strengthening the continent’s energy security.”

Also speaking on the development, David Bird, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, said the overwhelming investor response validates the company’s operational performance and growth outlook.

“The exceptional demand we witnessed is a testament to our operational excellence, execution capability and the confidence investors have in DPRP’s leadership and future potential.”

With the successful completion of the placement, DPRP is well-positioned to accelerate its long-term growth strategy while strengthening Africa’s energy security through world-scale refining and petrochemical capacity. The strong investor response further reinforces confidence in the company’s vision and its ability to deliver sustainable value over the long term.

The company also acknowledged the contributions of its professional advisers and partners whose expertise and support were instrumental in delivering the successful transaction.