Dangote refinery startup fails to appease doubters
Mega-refinery set to transform Nigeria but questions remain over feedstock that may limit key gasoline production, at least for now
Nigeria’s much-delayed Dangote refinery has started production, in defiance of the widespread pessimism over the project’s timeline. The facility has already received multiple crude deliveries, but the specific grades and volume may cap potential output, while some observers caution that further delays could still emerge. Nigerian conglomerate Dangote Group announced on 12 January the start of diesel and aviation fuel production at the new refinery. “The first trial runs [at Dangote] must have already started in December, judging by crude import flows over December and January, with a looming ramp-up in runs already [in January],” said Andon Pavlov, lead analyst for dirty products and refini
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices






