Nigeria is home to the world’s largest single-train oil refinery, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a landmark industrial project located in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos State.

Owned by Nigerian billionaire and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, the refinery represents a major milestone in Africa’s industrial development and Nigeria’s ambition to become a leading petroleum refining hub.

With a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, the facility was designed to process a wide range of crude oil grades and produce refined petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).The refinery began producing refined petroleum products in 2024 after years of construction. In June 2026, it successfully processed 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day during a performance test, exceeding its original nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.The massive facility is also equipped with extensive storage facilities, pipeline infrastructure and a dedicated power plant to support its operations. Its operations are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic fuel supply, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and create opportunities for employment and industrial growth.

Beyond serving the Nigerian market, the refinery has also positioned the country as an emerging exporter of refined petroleum products to other African countries and international markets. Dangote has also announced plans to expand the refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, an ambitious move that could further strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global energy industry.

The project stands as one of Africa’s most significant private-sector investments, highlighting the potential of large-scale industrial development to transform the continent’s energy and economic landscape.