The national oil company of the Republic of the Congo, the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) and Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, owned by Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, have begun discussions on a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the Central African nation’s supply of refined petroleum products while expanding energy cooperation across the continent.

The talks come days after Dangote Group announced plans to explore multibillion-dollar investments in Tanzania covering infrastructure, energy, fertilizer production, ports and regional trade, underscoring its growing footprint across Africa.

SNPC visits Dangote refinery Lagos

SNPC Managing Director Maixent Raoul Ominga, who led a delegation on a visit to the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, described the facility as one of Africa’s most significant industrial projects and said the company was interested in building a long-term relationship with Dangote.

“We have visited this remarkable refinery, which represents a major industrial achievement for Africa. The Republic of the Congo has refining capacity, and we are keen to explore strategic cooperation that will help strengthen the supply of refined petroleum products while creating value for both organizations,” Ominga said.

He said discussions centered on refining, petroleum product supply, energy security, industrial development and technical cooperation.

Ominga also praised Dangote Group’s investments in the Republic of the Congo, particularly in cement manufacturing, saying they have strengthened local production capacity and improved access to construction materials.

Dangote outlines expansion plans

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Ltd., Aliko Dangote, said the company remains committed to supporting industrial growth across Africa through investment and partnerships.

“We are for Africa, not just Nigeria. Tell us what you need, and we will see how we can work together,” Dangote said.

He said the refinery produces fuels that meet international quality standards, helping African countries reduce dependence on imported petroleum products while improving access to cleaner fuels.

Dangote targets 2.1 million barrels

Devakumar Edwin, vice president of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries, said the company plans to increase its total refining capacity to 2.1 million barrels a day. The expansion includes 1.4 million barrels a day in Nigeria and a planned 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Kenya to serve East African markets.

He also disclosed plans to invest an additional $46 billion between 2026 and 2028 across the group’s refining, cement and fertilizer businesses.

The discussions reflect growing efforts by African energy companies to strengthen regional supply chains, expand local refining capacity and reduce reliance on fuel imports from outside the continent.

Others at the meeting included Dangote Industries Group Executive Director for Commercial, Oil and Gas, Fatima Aliko Dangote; Adviser to the President of the Republic of the Congo Peggy Ndongo; and advisers to the SNPC managing director, Aymar Ebiou and Norbert Mabiala.

Lekki refinery production milestone

Dangote, whose fortune is estimated at $33.5 billion by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, oversees one of Africa’s largest privately owned industrial groups, with interests spanning cement, refining, manufacturing and logistics.

Located in the Ibeju-Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, the Dangote Refinery began producing fuel in 2024 and has steadily increased output of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

The refinery has recently exceeded its installed nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels a day, reaching production of about 700,000 barrels daily. Dangote plans to double capacity to 1.4 million barrels a day by 2028, a move expected to support manufacturing, create jobs and improve Nigeria’s trade balance.

Investors are also watching the company ahead of a planned initial public offering that could value the business at about $50 billion, potentially making it one of Africa’s biggest stock market listings.