The Dangote Refinery took centre stage on Saturday as participants at the ongoing 20th Abuja International Trade Fair thronged the pavilion of the Dangote Group, eager to learn more about Africa’s largest oil refining project and its transformative impact on Nigeria’s economy.
Visitors and investors from across Nigeria and beyond crowded the Group’s exhibition stand, where the company marked its Special Day at the fair organized by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). The fair, themed “Sustainability: Consumption, Incentives, and Taxation,” is projected to attract over 100,000 participants.
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Most of the visitors showed deep interest in the Dangote Refinery — a 650,000 barrels-per-day facility located in Lagos — widely seen as a game-changer in Nigeria’s quest for energy independence and industrial growth. Many attendees described the project as a symbol of hope for Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in petroleum products and a boost for the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.
Peter Abdul, one of the visitors at the pavilion, said he was fascinated by the scale and ambition of the Refinery project.
“I’ve always heard about the Dangote Refinery, but seeing the presentations and learning about its operations today makes me proud as a Nigerian,” he said. “This is more than just a private investment — it’s a national asset.”
Another participant from Kano, Ibrahim Rogo, expressed interest in exploring opportunities in petroleum and polypropylene trading, noting that he had collected the company’s contact information for potential collaboration once the refinery fully expands into downstream products.
Speaking on behalf of the Dangote Group, Mr. Hashem Ahmed, a General Manager, said the Refinery embodies the Group’s commitment to national development, job creation, and economic diversification.
“Every litre of petroleum product produced by the Dangote Refinery represents more than fuel — it represents a job for a Nigerian, a contract for a local supplier, and a step toward a self-reliant nation,” he said.
He praised the resilience of the Group’s business partners and distributors across Nigeria, describing them as the backbone of Dangote’s success across cement, sugar, fertilizer, and petroleum sectors.
The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Emeka Obegolu, commended the Group for its continuous role in advancing industrial growth in Nigeria.
“The Dangote Refinery has placed Nigeria on the global energy map. It exemplifies sustainability and innovation — two pillars central to our Chamber’s vision for a competitive economy,” he said.
He also lauded Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s vision for investing heavily in value addition and backward integration, saying the Chamber’s partnership with the Group remains crucial in promoting trade, expanding opportunities, and creating an enabling business environment.
As the Fair continues, the Dangote Refinery remains the star attraction, drawing investors, diplomats, and entrepreneurs — all eager to witness firsthand how one of Africa’s boldest industrial projects is redefining Nigeria’s future.
