Dangote Refinery Secures New Global Partnerships to Accelerate Expansion Toward 1.4m bpd Capacity
- The Dangote Group is fast-tracking its plans to develop the world’s largest single-site refinery in Lagos, Nigeria.
- Key international partnerships—such as its collaboration with Engineers India Ltd (EIL)—are driving both expansion and technological upgrades.
- The refinery is targeting a production capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day within the next three years.
- These strengthened capabilities and global alliances are designed to position Nigeria as a major regional center for refined petroleum products and petrochemicals.
New international collaborations are propelling the Dangote Refinery into its next stage of growth, reinforcing Nigeria’s bid to become a dominant force in global refining and petrochemicals. The Lagos-based complex—already one of the world’s largest—has formalised two major agreements intended to double its processing capacity and deepen its technological capabilities.
EIL to Oversee Second Refinery Train
Speaking at a press briefing in Mumbai, Aliko Dangote confirmed the signing of a new contract with Engineers India Ltd (EIL). The engineering consultancy, which operates under India’s Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, will manage the development of the refinery’s second train. The project aims to raise overall refining capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to an estimated 1.4 million bpd within the next three years.
EIL played a pivotal role in the construction of the refinery’s first train, functioning as both Project Management Consultant and EPCM Consultant. That initial phase, commissioned in 2024, has already been credited with reshaping Africa’s fuel supply chain by producing Euro-V standard gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and polypropylene.
The new memorandum of understanding places EIL at the centre of a major petrochemical scale-up. A key component of the next phase is the construction of a propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit, which will boost polypropylene production from 830,000 tonnes per annum to 2.4 million TPA, significantly expanding Nigeria’s presence in the global plastics and polymers market.
Honeywell to Supply Advanced Refining Technologies
The expansion effort is also being strengthened by a newly concluded agreement with U.S.-based Honeywell. The deal gives the refinery access to Honeywell’s automation systems, digital optimisation tools, and advanced refining technologies—capabilities expected to enhance operational reliability, improve energy efficiency, and support a wider slate of refined products.
Together, the Honeywell and EIL collaborations mark a decisive shift toward deeper global integration, positioning the refinery as a critical node in international downstream operations.
Strong Endorsements From Both Sides
Aliko Dangote expressed confidence in EIL’s continued involvement, praising the firm's execution of the refinery’s first phase.
“Dangote reaffirms its confidence in Engineers India Limited (EIL). We deeply appreciate the exemplary manner in which EIL executed the First Train of our refinery complex… The signing of this MoU for the Second Train is a clear testimony to EIL’s sustained brilliance,” he said.
EIL Chairperson and Managing Director Vartika Shukla underscored the significance of the undertaking, noting that the planned expansion would elevate the refinery into the ranks of the largest single-site refining complexes globally.
Positioning Africa at the Center of Global Downstream Markets
With both agreements secured, the Dangote Refinery is now firmly positioned to become the world’s largest single-location refining complex. Beyond expanding Nigeria’s refining capacity, the project represents a strategic move to transform the nation into a regional hub for fuels and petrochemicals—shifting Africa’s role within global energy and industrial supply chains.