*As Nigeria-China partnership disclosures $20 billion new investment in economy

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is undergoing a major capacity upgrade to increase its output from 650,000 to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group. 

The expansion, currently underway at the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Dangote, who spoke during a recent facility tour with stakeholders and journalists, explained that the upgrade is aimed at maximising the refinery’s potential, despite on-going modifications slowing its ability to operate at full capacity this year.

“As of July, our Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) unit is running at 85 per cent capacity.

“Once modifications are complete, we expect to exceed the original design and hit 700,000bpd,” he said. 

The RFCC process, he noted, converts heavy crude residue into valuable lighter fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and LPG.

Dangote disclosed that the refinery sourced 19 million barrels of crude oil from the United States between June and July 2025 alone. 

“We bought 10 million barrels in July, which accounts for about 55 per cent of our current crude needs,” he said.

He also reflected on the journey of building the $20 billion refinery, revealing that it began after the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua halted his attempt to purchase Nigeria’s state-owned refineries in 2007.

“Had I known the complexity and challenges involved, I might never have started. 

“But we pushed through the setbacks, and today we’ve proved that nothing is impossible,” Dangote said.

He further noted that most African nations are still dependent on imported refined fuels, with the exception of Algeria and Libya. 

“We needed to change that narrative. Only one refinery is currently operating in South Africa. So, we decided to take the risk,” he added.

Dangote criticised what he described as “foreign sabotage through importation,” claiming some external forces use large volumes of imports to undermine domestic industries in Africa.

In related development, Nigeria has secured over $20 billion in new investment commitments from China to support key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, mining, steel, energy, and automotive manufacturing.

Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe disclosed the breakthrough over the weekend, noting that the funding was the result of sustained bilateral engagements following the elevation of Nigeria-China ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

“These are real commitments, not just pledges,” Tegbe said. 

“We’re talking about tangible projects that will create jobs, boost local production, enhance food security, and make Nigeria a leading manufacturing hub in Africa.

”Tegbe added that the NCSP is driving efforts to ensure the success of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) projects in Nigeria, while also leveraging Chinese expertise and financing to reposition the country’s industrial base.

“The partnership also aims to open Asian markets to Nigerian-made goods, enhancing exports and creating value-added supply chains in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We’re not only building bridges with investors; we’re delivering results that will transform Nigeria’s economy for generations to come,” Tegbe streesed.