This move addresses concerns about operational reliability at Africa’s largest refinery, which is currently operating at 450,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 70% of its capacity, up from 400,000 bpd (60%) in Q1, according to Kpler.

In August, the refinery received five Suezmax tankers from Nigeria, two Very Large Crude Carriers from the U.S., and one cargo of Ghana’s Sankofa crude, a medium-sweet variety with 29 API gravity and 0.3% sulfur. 

Kpler also noted the return of Brass River crude to Dangote’s supply chain after nearly a year, underscoring efforts to broaden sources beyond Nigerian and U.S. light sweet crude.

Meanwhile, Cameroon’s Sonara plans to restart its Limbe Refinery by 2027, dormant since a 2019 fire, potentially increasing competition for Dangote in West and Central Africa. 

The refinery remains confident in its operational progress despite not yet reaching full capacity.