Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is aiming for a new world record with the expansion of his Lagos mega-refinery. The goal: to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day and make Nigeria the African refining giant.

Unprecedented industrial ambition

Already considered one of the largest refineries in Africa, the Dangote plant located in Ibeju-Lekki, in the Lagos region, could soon become the largest in the world .

In a recent statement, the businessman confirmed his expansion plan to increase production capacity from 650,000 to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028.

"We are going to move to a new scale. This project will make the Lagos refinery the largest in the world," Aliko Dangote said, quoted by the Financial Times .

This colossal expansion, estimated at several billion dollars, would consolidate Nigeria's position as a key player in the global oil industry .

Towards Nigerian energy sovereignty

Nigeria, Africa's largest crude oil producer, remains dependent on fuel imports.

With this refinery, Dangote intends to reverse the trend by allowing the country to fully meet its energy needs while exporting the surplus to other African markets.

According to the group, the refinery could cover more than 100% of local demand and generate surpluses for export to West Africa.

"This is an industrial revolution for Nigeria and for Africa," says an energy sector analyst.

Logistical and economic challenges to be met

Despite its ambition, the project still faces several major challenges :

-Regular supply of crude oil,

-Transport and storage infrastructure,

-The stability of the electrical network,

-And the regulatory frameworks to be strengthened.

Experts stress that additional investment will be needed to reach full industrial capacity, while ensuring transparency and good governance of the project.

Dangote also plans to create a commercial subsidiary dedicated to managing oil exports, in order to optimize regional logistics and increase competitiveness on the global market.

A project with a pan-African dimension

The refinery is part of Aliko Dangote's overall strategy to make Nigeria an industrial and energy hub for Africa .

In addition to the oil sector, his group invests heavily in cement, agriculture and fertilizer production, creating thousands of jobs across the continent.

With a fortune estimated at more than 15 billion dollars according to Forbes 2025 , Dangote embodies the vision of a productive and independent Africa:

"We must produce what we consume and create value on our soil," he says.

An ambition that brings hope and challenges

Beyond the figures, this initiative symbolizes the desire for economic emancipation of the African continent .

If the targets are met, the Lagos refinery could rival the Jamnagar refinery in India, owned by Reliance Industries - currently the world's largest refinery.

But the issue goes beyond industrial performance: it is now a question of knowing whether this feat will benefit all Nigerians and serve as a lever for sustainable development for the country.