Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery is set to construct fuel storage tanks in Namibia capable of holding at least 1.6 million barrels of gasoline and diesel. This strategic move signals the refinery’s growing ambition to become a dominant force in Africa’s fuel supply chain, potentially transforming regional energy trade and improving refined fuel access in southern Africa.
The $20 billion refinery, with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, was developed by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. Since beginning operations last year, the facility has been steadily increasing output while exploring new international markets.
According to the sources, the planned storage tanks will be used to distribute gasoline and diesel to countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. There are also plans to extend supply to the southern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. While a Dangote spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment, a Namibia Ports Authority official confirmed the initiative, noting that the tanks would be built within Walvis Bay harbour. One source revealed that construction at the port city of Walvis Bay is expected to commence soon.
This development follows a recent report indicating that a Dangote gasoline shipment was en route to Asia—the first such export beyond West Africa. The refinery has stated that once operating at full capacity, it will produce enough refined fuel to satisfy domestic demand in Nigeria, significantly reduce the country’s fuel imports, and allow for the export of surplus volumes.
