Dangote Petroleum Refinery is preparing to construct fuel storage tanks in Namibia with the capacity to hold over 1.6 million barrels of gasoline and diesel. According to two sources who spoke with Reuters, the facility will help distribute refined products across Southern Africa. This step signals the refinery’s growing ambition to expand its influence on fuel distribution across the continent and reshape regional trade dynamics.
The refinery, which cost $20 billion and can process 650,000 barrels per day, began operations last year. Since then, it has been steadily increasing output and exploring new export opportunities. The planned storage in Namibia is expected to support fuel delivery to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia itself. Sources also revealed that southern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo are being considered as potential markets.
While the company has yet to release a statement, one insider noted that construction will soon begin in Walvis Bay, a port city in Namibia. An official from the Namibia Ports Authority confirmed that the facility will be located within the Walvis Bay harbor zone.
Once fully operational, the refinery aims to satisfy Nigeria’s fuel demand and channel surplus supplies to international markets.
source: www.reuters.com
African Energy Council