The endorsement came during a visit to the Lagos-based refinery, by Bombardier Chairman Pierre Beaudoin and senior executives.
“Marked as the world’s largest single-train facility, “the refinery makes jet fuel in large quantities, and that is good for the industry.”
“From what I understand, their jet fuel is environmentally friendly, taking the sulphur out, and that is exceptional.” Beaudoin said.
He added that the project represents a new global standard for African industrial capacity. “This is a world-class project. It’s going to turn on innovation in Africa,” he noted.
During the visit, the Bombardier delegation presented a prototype aircraft to Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, in a symbolic show of support. The company signaled confidence in the refinery’s ability to provide high-quality jet fuel at a time when airlines are facing stricter emissions rules and volatile supply chains.
Dangote, who personally guided the delegation, stressed that the refinery was built to meet emission and effluent standards set by the World Bank, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the European Union, and Nigeria’s Department of Petroleum Resources.
“We have enough capacity to meet Nigeria’s domestic demand while exporting surplus products globally,” Dangote said.
Dangote refinery reshapes Nigeria’s fuel supply chain
Since operations began, the Dangote Refinery has significantly altered Nigeria’s fuel landscape. Earlier reporting showed that Nigeria had approved Dangote as the sole supplier of Jet A1 fuel to its airlines.
The refinery now delivers around two-thirds of Nigeria’s jet fuel needs, sharply decreasing reliance on imports. Earlier this month, it began exporting jet fuel to Europe, supplying neighboring West African countries, and even pushing out European refiners from regional gasoil markets.
Bombardier’s visit adds international weight to the project. During its launch, the refinery revealed it had a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. This output was expected to reduce import costs, strengthen foreign exchange reserves, improve energy security, and heighten Nigeria’s role as an energy hub for the region.
Recently, the refinery upgraded its capacity to 700,000bpd, with a plan to eventually surpass South Korea’s Onsan Refinery, which holds the sixth spot with a capacity of 669,000 bpd. Recently, Africa’s largest refinery sent its first gasoline shipment to the United States, marking a significant milestone for the group.
Bombardier’s endorsement also coincides with Dangote’s push to modernize logistics through electric and CNG-powered trucks, a move experts say could anchor Africa’s role in the global energy transition.
