By Ali Elias
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has declared the Dangote Refinery capable of meeting the petroleum needs of the entire West African region, describing the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility as “a beacon of hope for Africa’s future.”
Touray made this statement during a high-level delegation visit to the Lekki-based refinery, where he praised its scale, sophistication, and regional significance. “What I have seen today gives me a lot of hope,” he said. “Everybody who doesn’t believe in Africa should come here.”
The ECOWAS chief lauded Aliko Dangote’s vision and commitment to industrialising Africa through private sector leadership. “We congratulate Alhaji Dangote for this trust in Africa… This is what we should all work to encourage.”
Touray emphasised the refinery’s importance in helping the region meet its clean fuel targets. “We are still importing products below our standard when a regional company such as Dangote can meet and exceed these requirements,” he said, referring to the 50ppm sulphur standard required in ECOWAS countries.
Calling for stronger government-private sector collaboration, he warned against policymaking in isolation. “We cannot continue to make decisions on behalf of the private sector from a distance,” he said. “Only the private sector can deliver the scale of impact required.”
He added that ECOWAS would work to open up regional markets for the Dangote Group, pledging: “The ECOWAS Commission will do everything to open up the ECOWAS market for them, if not the entire African continent.”
In his remarks, Dangote reiterated that the refinery was built to serve both Nigeria and its neighbours. “As long as we continue importing what we can produce, we will remain underdeveloped,” he said. “This refinery is proof that we can build for ourselves at scale, to global standards.”
He dismissed claims that the facility cannot meet domestic demand, saying, “Now they are here to see the reality… and encourage other nations to embark on similar industrial projects.”
Dangote highlighted how local refining has already driven down fuel prices. “Last year, we reduced diesel from N1,700 to N1,100, and prices have fallen further since then,” he noted. “This has supported industries, mining, and agriculture.”
He also revealed that Nigerian consumers are now paying significantly less than neighbouring countries for petrol. “In nearby countries, petrol averages $1 per litre—around N1,600—but here, we’re selling between N815 and N820. Nigerians are paying just 55% of what others in the region pay,” he said.
With more developments yet to be announced, Dangote assured that “this refinery is built for Nigerians, and they will enjoy the maximum benefit from it.”