THE Dangote Petroleum Refinery said it has exported Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol to Cameroon, Ghana, Angola and South Africa.
Vice President of Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. Devakumar Edwin, disclosed this recently when a delegation from the Japanese Business Community in Nigeria, led by Japan's Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, visited the facility.
He said: "In recent weeks, we've exported petrol to Cameroon, Ghana, Angola, and South Africa among others. Diesel has gone all over the world, and jet fuel is being heavily exported to European markets. Our products are already making their mark internationally."
He said that by leveraging Africa's vast crude oil resources to produce refined products locally, the Dangote Group aims to create a virtuous cycle of industrial development, job creation, and economic prosperity.
Dr. Edwin, explained that the facility is the vision of a Nigerian investor- Aliko Dangote, designed and built by Nigerians, and intended to serve the global market.
He said that it is a point of pride that a Nigerian company not only designed but also built the world's largest single-train refinery complex, adding that Dangote Industries Limited, a Nigerian company, acted as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the refinery.
Dr. Edwin assured the ambassador-designate and the delegation that the company is open to collaboration, always striving to maintain the best possible standards.
He said: "Even now, we have a lot of Japanese equipment inside both the refinery and the fertiliser plant. There are significant opportunities for collaboration, as we always seek the latest technology in any business we engage in. For instance, our cement plant laboratory is managed by robots, and we always embrace advanced technology. With Japan's focus on technological innovation, there is ample scope for cooperation and for supplying various types of technology."
Edwin stated that the Dangote Petrochemical project will significantly boost investment in downstream industries, creating substantial value, generating employment, increasing tax revenues, reducing foreign exchange outflows, and contributing to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
On his part, Hideo, described Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals complex as an astonishing masterpiece, showcasing Nigeria's technological advancements on the global stage.
The Japanese delegation, which toured the impressive facilities housing both the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as well as Dangote Fertilisers, commended the state-of-the-art technology on display, noting that it reinforces Nigeria's role as the gateway to Africa.
Also, the Managing Director of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Takashi Oku, remarked that while Nigeria remains the gateway to Africa, the Dangote Refinery stands as a remarkable project that showcases the country's technological progress.
He added that the facility, as the world's largest single-train refinery, is a point of immense pride for Nigeria. JETRO is Japan's governmental organisation for trade and investment.
"We had heard about the excellence of the Dangote Refinery through the media but seeing it in person has left us truly amazed by its vastness and grandeur. It demonstrates that Nigeria's population is not only growing but also advancing in technology. We are keen to collaborate with Nigerian companies, especially Dangote Refinery," he said.
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Emphasising that the refinery has bolstered Nigeria's leading position in Africa, he noted that the facility serves as an ideal introduction to the country for the global community.
Similarly, the Managing Director of Itochu Nigeria Limited, Masahiro Tsuno, also praised the size and automation of the Dangote Refinery, calling it a miracle and one of the wonders of the world.
"I have seen many standalone refineries across the globe, including in Vietnam and the Middle East. However, this size of a refinery built by one single investor is probably a miracle in the world. And I'm just actually witnessing a miracle, to be honest, today," he said.
Tsuno indicated that his company would seek collaboration with the refinery across various sectors, including polypropylene and other petroleum products.
