Dangote Assures End to Petrol Imports for Nigeria by June
Africa’s wealthiest man and Dangote Group Chairman, Aliko Dangote, has announced that Nigeria will no longer need to import gasoline starting next month. This development is attributed to the operational capabilities of the Dangote Refinery.
Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum Annual Summit in Kigali, Dangote expressed confidence in the refinery’s ability to meet the petrol and diesel demands of West Africa, as well as the aviation fuel needs of the entire continent.
“By sometime in June, within the next four or five weeks, Nigeria shouldn’t import gasoline anymore; not even a single drop,” Dangote stated. He emphasized the progress made by his company to ensure Africa becomes self-sufficient in the energy sector.
“We have enough gasoline for West Africa, diesel for West and Central Africa, and aviation fuel for the entire continent. We are also producing raw materials like polypropylene, polyethylene, linear benzyl, and base oil to make Africa self-sufficient,” Dangote added.
Since the commissioning of the refinery in February, significant strides have been made towards achieving a revenue target of thirty billion dollars. “We have finished our refinery, which is a significant step towards achieving our revenue target,” said Dangote. “Our refinery will not only supply Nigeria but also West, Central, and South Africa.”
Despite facing challenges during construction, Dangote remained steadfast in his vision. He acknowledged resistance from certain quarters but stressed the importance of investing in Africa to drive economic growth and job creation.
Dangote also called for policy consistency to support African entrepreneurs and facilitate ease of trading across the continent. He urged leaders to review and improve policies to foster business growth in Africa.
This landmark announcement marks a transformative shift for Nigeria and the continent’s energy sector, heralding a new era of self-sufficiency and economic resilience.
