LAGOS, April 21 – Aliko Dangote is expanding his industrial ambitions by moving into chemical production, as his refinery targets Nigeria’s import-dependent market for key inputs used in detergents and cleaning products.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals will produce 400,000 metric tons per year of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) using technology from Honeywell International, marking a significant step into higher-margin petrochemicals.
LAB is a critical ingredient in detergents, and Nigeria currently imports nearly all of its supply. By producing locally, the refinery aims to reduce import dependence while positioning itself as a major exporter to regional and global markets.
The expansion also includes plans to produce an additional 750,000 metric tons of propylene annually, further strengthening the refinery’s petrochemical capabilities. Both projects are expected to be completed within three years.
The move aligns with Dangote’s broader strategy to build an integrated energy and industrial platform similar to Reliance Industries’s Jamnagar complex, one of the world’s largest refining and petrochemicals hubs.
With a current capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the refinery is already one of the largest globally. Plans are underway to more than double capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028, further enhancing its global competitiveness.
Dangote’s wider growth strategy includes a $40 billion investment plan spanning fertilizer production, mining and infrastructure, with a target of reaching $100 billion in revenue within four years.
By entering the chemicals market, the group is tapping into a global industry projected to reach $11.5 billion by 2030, while leveraging disruptions in global supply chains to strengthen its position as a key supplier from Africa.
