Africa’s Fuel Revolution Isn’t Coming – It’s Already in Lagos
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has revealed that Nigerians are paying just 55% of what other West African nations spend on petrol—thanks to his refinery’s impact on domestic fuel prices.
Speaking during a high-level visit by ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Touray to the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility, Dangote stated that the refinery now sells petrol at N815–N820 per litre. In contrast, neighbouring countries pay around $1 (about N1,600) per litre.
“This refinery was built for Nigerians,” Dangote said. “Many don’t realise they’re benefiting already. By refining locally, we’ve brought prices down and increased economic stability.”
He added that his refinery had already caused diesel prices to plummet—from N1,700 to N1,100 per litre—directly benefiting industries, agriculture, and transportation.
Dangote emphasized that Africa can no longer afford to depend on imports, calling such dependency “unsustainable.”
“As long as we import what we can produce, we will remain underdeveloped,” he noted, calling the refinery a testament to Africa’s ability to build world-class infrastructure.
The visit comes amid growing interest in regional self-sufficiency. ECOWAS officials were given a tour of the facility to witness its potential firsthand. Dangote assured them that the refinery can meet both Nigeria’s and the region’s fuel needs, countering claims that it lacks capacity.
Dr. Touray, visibly impressed, described the refinery as a “beacon of hope” and a model for regional industrialization.
“What I’ve seen today gives me hope,” Touray said. “Everyone who doubts Africa’s potential should come here. Dangote’s vision proves what’s possible when we invest in ourselves.”
He praised the refinery’s ability to produce fuel that meets Euro V standards, reducing harmful emissions far better than many imported alternatives. “We’re still importing substandard fuels, while this facility exceeds our own benchmarks,” he noted.
Touray called for deeper collaboration between governments and the private sector, urging ECOWAS nations to adopt industrial strategies that tackle unemployment, poverty, and insecurity.
“Our policies must reflect the realities of industrialists like Dangote,” he said. “And we must open the ECOWAS market to them fully.”
The delegation included top ECOWAS officials such as Sediko Douka (Infrastructure), Prof. Nazifi Darma (Internal Services), Dr. Tony Elumelu (Private Sector/SME), and others.
