In a decisive move to bolster West Africa’s energy independence, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has hailed Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a critical catalyst in ending the region’s longstanding reliance on imported petrol.
During a high-profile visit to the 650,000 barrels-per-day mega facility, ECOWAS President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray praised the refinery as a transformative force, positioning it as a beacon of hope for Africa’s industrial future.
Touray, accompanied by Sediko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, expressed deep admiration for the refinery’s scale and sophistication.
“What I have seen today gives me a lot of hope, and everybody who doesn’t believe in Africa should come here,” he remarked. “This is exactly what our continent should focus on. We congratulate Alhaji Dangote for this trust in Africa, because I think you do this only when you have the trust, and he has a vision for Africa, and this is what we should all work to encourage.”
The ECOWAS President also underscored the refinery’s crucial role in helping West African countries meet the region’s stringent 50ppm sulphur fuel standard—a standard that many imported products fail to meet, causing serious health and environmental risks across member states.
“We are still importing products below our standard when a regional company such as Dangote can meet and exceed these requirements,” Touray stated, adding that “the private sector must take the lead in ECOWAS industrialisation.”
The visit also reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to strengthening collaboration between governments and private investors as the organisation marks its 50th anniversary.
Touray stressed that policymakers must align their decisions with the needs of Africa’s industrial players.
“We cannot continue to make decisions on behalf of the private sector from a distance. Visits like this provide us with first-hand experience and direct insight into the challenges they face—challenges that authorities and government officials must work to address,” he asserted.
He highlighted the urgency of crafting robust industrial policies to address widespread issues such as unemployment, poverty, and insecurity. “Only the private sector can deliver the scale of impact required,” Touray noted, pledging the Commission’s support in opening up wider ECOWAS markets for companies like Dangote Group.
Touray also encouraged other African nations to follow Nigeria’s example by developing infrastructure that benefits the entire continent.
Leading the ECOWAS delegation through the state-of-the-art facility, Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, reiterated his stance that Africa’s dependence on imported goods undermines its economic independence.
“As long as we continue importing what we can produce, we will remain underdeveloped,” Dangote declared, pointing to the refinery as undeniable proof of Africa’s ability to build and sustain world-class industries.
He addressed previous doubts about the refinery’s capacity, assuring the delegation that the facility is fully capable of meeting both Nigeria’s and West Africa’s fuel demands.
Dangote also pointed to immediate gains, including a substantial drop in diesel prices from N1,700 to N1,100 per litre—and even lower—since the refinery began operations.
“This reduction has made a significant impact across various sectors,” he noted, emphasising the positive knock-on effects on industries, mining, and agriculture.
He further highlighted the savings for Nigerian consumers, with petrol at the refinery priced between N815 and N820 per litre, well below the average of N1,600 ($1) per litre in neighbouring countries.
“Many Nigerians don’t realise that they are currently paying just 55% of what others in the region are paying for petrol,” he revealed, hinting at even more potential benefits as the refinery continues to secure energy supplies and reduce dependence on imports.
