By Peter Omopo
The Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, the national oil company of the Republic of the Congo, and Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals have begun discussions on a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the Republic of the Congo’s supply of refined petroleum products while deepening regional energy cooperation and industrial integration across Africa.
The discussions took place during a visit by an SNPC delegation to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, where the Managing Director of SNPC, Maixent Raoul Ominga, described the refinery as a strategic industrial asset for the African continent.
Ominga said the Republic of the Congo, which already possesses refining capacity, is interested in forging a long-term partnership with the Dangote Group to enhance the supply of refined petroleum products and create mutual value for both organisations.
He noted that discussions centred on potential collaboration in refining, petroleum products supply, energy security, industrial development and knowledge sharing.
The SNPC chief praised the Dangote Group for demonstrating Africa’s capacity to finance, construct and operate world-class industrial infrastructure, describing the refinery as a landmark achievement in the continent’s industrial transformation.
He also commended the Group’s investments in the Republic of the Congo, particularly in the cement sector, noting that they have strengthened local industrial capacity, expanded production and improved access to construction materials.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Africa’s industrialisation through value addition, strategic regional partnerships and sustained investments across the continent.
“We are for Africa, not just Nigeria. Tell us what you need, and we will see how we can work together,” Dangote said.
He stated that the refinery has established a new benchmark for fuel quality in Africa by producing petroleum products that meet the highest international standards, while improving access to cleaner fuels and reducing the continent’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
Speaking during the engagement, Group Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, unveiled the company’s long-term expansion strategy, which aims to increase its total refining capacity to 2.1 million barrels per day.
According to him, the expansion plan includes 1.4 million barrels per day refining capacity in Nigeria and a proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day refining complex in Kenya to serve the East African market.
Edwin also disclosed plans by the Group to invest an additional 46 billion US dollars between 2026 and 2028 across its refining, cement and fertiliser businesses to accelerate industrialisation across Africa.
The meeting underscored the shared commitment of SNPC and Dangote Industries to strengthening African energy cooperation, deepening regional value chains, promoting self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products and advancing energy security and intra-African trade.
Also present at the meeting were 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.
