KEY POINTS

• Dangote refinery expansion moves into new phase.
• India partnerships accelerate refinery engineering work.
• Funding plans support the Dangote refinery expansion.

Aliko Dangote is accelerating his energy ambitions, closing new strategic partnerships in India that support his plan to lift his Lagos refinery’s output to 1.4 million barrels per day.

The deal, finalized with Honeywell’s UOP unit, marks one of the most decisive steps in his broader effort to secure Africa’s long-term fuel supply and reduce its dependence on imports.

During the visit, Dangote reinforced his focus on expanding the $20 billion refinery complex, which currently operates at 650,000 barrels per day. The new agreement includes licensing and engineering work for an additional 750,000-barrel-per-day greenfield plant that will sit alongside the existing facility, creating one of the most powerful refining hubs globally.

India ties deepen amid Dangote refinery expansion

Beyond the refinery upgrade, Dangote held discussions on fertilizer expansion in Ethiopia and explored potential investments in India’s growing data-center market.

His group, which already spans cement, petrochemicals, food and agriculture across Africa, is advancing a $3 billion expansion of its Ethiopian urea plant, with Engineers India Limited appointed as project manager.

The visit also came at a time when India–Africa trade is rising sharply. India’s exports to Africa crossed $51 billion last year, lifting total trade above $100 billion for the 2024–2025 fiscal period.

Despite the deepening ties, China remains Africa’s largest trading partner, shipping goods worth nearly $179 billion to the continent and pushing total two-way trade close to $296 billion.

Dangote outlines strategy and long-term vision

In an interview with CNBC TV18, Dangote said the central objective of his trip was to sign and finalize the key agreements tied to the refinery expansion.

He emphasized that Honeywell’s engineering and licensing support will anchor the next phase of construction and noted that Nigeria and India have developed strong industrial synergies over the years. He also hinted at renewed interest in India’s technology sector, particularly data centers.

Dangote said the refinery expansion will be completed by 2028 and will position his group to supply most of Africa’s gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. He stressed that Africa’s long-term fundamentals remain strong, pointing to its young population, arable land, and abundant critical minerals.

He added that many investor concerns about the continent stem more from perception than reality.

Funding mix to drive next phase

According to Bilionaires Africa, the group is planning to raise about $5 billion to support the refinery upgrade, with Afreximbank indicating interest in participating in the financing structure. Dangote said he would fund the expansion through internal cash flow, a possible public listing, and new investments from strategic partners.

Once completed, the refinery is expected to become the largest in the world, surpassing India’s Jamnagar complex. Analysts estimate that the plant could generate up to $55 billion in annual revenue and significantly improve Nigeria’s foreign-exchange stability by reducing fuel imports.

The upgrade will also expand polypropylene output to 2.4 million metric tons per year, align production with Euro VI fuel standards and boost power generation at the site to 1,000 megawatts, reinforcing its status as one of Africa’s most transformational industrial projects.