In a strategic announcement made in Mumbai on Wednesday, Aliko Dangote revealed that his refinery has entered a new phase of expansion through a freshly signed agreement with Engineers India Ltd (EIL). The partnership will steer efforts to boost total refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day within the next three years.
This development comes shortly after the company finalised another deal with U.S.-based Honeywell, which will supply advanced process technologies and automation systems for the refinery’s evolving operations.
EIL, a top-tier engineering consultancy under India’s Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, previously oversaw project management for the refinery’s first 650,000 bpd train — a landmark achievement that significantly redefined Africa’s refining landscape.
Commissioned in 2024, the refinery currently produces Euro-V grade fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and polypropylene. Its output has already begun reshaping fuel supply patterns across West Africa.
A New Train to Drive Larger Output
Under the new memorandum of understanding, EIL will lead engineering and management for the second train of the refinery. The plan includes constructing a propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit, which will boost polypropylene production from 830,000 tonnes annually to 2.4 million tonnes.
This expansion aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to emerge as the primary hub for refined products and petrochemicals across the region — a vision strengthened by Honeywell’s technology contributions.
Honeywell’s agreement, sealed earlier this month, will provide advanced digital optimisation tools, refining technologies, and automation systems designed to enhance operational reliability and long-term efficiency.
Commitment to Global Collaboration
Dangote reaffirmed his confidence in EIL’s capabilities, praising the company for its performance during the refinery’s initial phase.
He said the new MoU reflects “a continued belief in EIL’s exceptional execution and technical expertise.”
EIL’s Chairperson and Managing Director, Vartika Shukla, described the expansion as a globally significant undertaking, noting that the upgraded 1.4 million bpd capacity would place the refinery among the world’s largest single-site refining complexes.
With both the Honeywell and EIL agreements secured, the Dangote Refinery is now firmly positioned to accelerate its transformation of Nigeria’s energy sector and strengthen Africa’s role in the global downstream industry.
