Dangote spoke on Monday during a press conference to mark
the first anniversary of the launch of petrol from the 650,000 barrels-per-day
refinery.

Reflecting on the challenges faced during the refinery’s
development, Dangote said the refinery project involved huge risk.

According to the billionaire, he received several warnings
from industry experts, investors, local and foreign government officials, who
argued that only sovereign nations undertook such a large-scale refinery
venture.

“The decision to build the refinery was not easy. If it had
gone wrong, lenders would have taken our assets. But we believed in Nigeria and
Africa,” he said.

Acknowledging the numerous challenges the refinery has faced
since its inception, Dangote emphasised the company’s resolute commitment to
Nigeria and Africa.

“The journey has been challenging because we sought to
transform the downstream sector in Nigeria. Some believed we were taking food
from their tables, which simply isn’t true,” he said.

“What we have done is to make our country and continent
proud. Previously, only two African countries were not importing petrol, but
regrettably, they have since resumed imports. This is detrimental to Africa.”

In 2024, foreign oil traders reportedly offered loans to
provide working capital for Dangote refinery in exchange for fuel from the
plant.

On August 4, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)
said it had signed a $1.35 billion financing facility with Dangote refinery.