Nigeria will become the largest crude oil refining hub in Africa by 2025, according to a reputed research company, Hawilti Limited. Based on its most recent research on African refineries and the continent’s forecast for 2023, it included this in a report that was made public on Monday.
According to its report, the Dangote Refinery of 650,000 barrels per day capacity and the rehabilitation of Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries with a total refining capacity of 445,000 barrels per day will make Nigeria top the list by 2025.
On the West Africa region’s progress in crude oil refining, the report pointed out its positive outlook and growth as its capacity increased in 2023.
It added that the West Africa region now has the largest refining capacity in sub-Saharan Africa of which its operation is presently at 23 percent.
“Both the opening of the Dangote Refinery and the rehabilitation of state-owned refineries have the potential to make Nigeria Africa’s biggest refining hub by 2025.
“The long-awaited Dangote Refinery, a 650,000 barrels per day single-train crude refining facility that has been a decade in the making, is finally expected to start production this year. Its commissioning is already sending hopes that it could finally start rebalancing Nigeria’s trade deficit.
Tecnimont is working to restore 90% capacity at the Port Harcourt complex, while Daewoo E&C has been chosen to complete two “quick fix” projects at Warri and Kaduna. Hawilti opposes Nigeria’s importation of petroleum products and petrol subsidies, as its refineries are under construction.
