Japanese ambassador, business community applaud Dangote refinery’s technological innovation
Business a.m.
The Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals complex has been hailed as an astonishing technological masterpiece by the Japanese business community in Nigeria, led by Suzuki Hideo, ambassador-designate to Nigeria.
The Japanese delegation, in a recent tour of the impressive facilities housing both the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as well as Dangote Fertilisers, expressed their admiration for the state-of-the-art technology on display which they considered a demonstration of Nigeria’s growing reputation as the gateway of Africa.
Takashi Oku, the managing director of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Japan’s governmental organisation for trade and investment, acknowledged Nigeria’s pivotal role as the gateway to Africa.
Oku lauded the Dangote Refinery as a prime example of the country’s technological advancements, adding that the facility, as the world’s largest single-train refinery, is a point of immense pride for Nigeria.
“We had heard about the excellence of the Dangote Refinery through the media but seeing it in person has left us truly amazed by its vastness and grandeur. It demonstrates that Nigeria’s population is not only growing but also advancing in technology. We are keen to collaborate with Nigerian companies, especially Dangote Refinery,” he said.
According to the JETRO MD, the Dangote Refinery not only reinforces Nigeria’s status as a leader in Africa, but also offers an ideal introduction to the country for the global community.
Masahiro Tsuno, managing director of Itochu Nigeria Limited, also praised the sheer size and automation of the Dangote Refinery, calling it a miracle and one of the wonders of the world.
“I’ve seen many standalone refineries across the globe, including in Vietnam and the Middle East. However, this size of a refinery built by one single investor is probably a miracle in the world. And I’m just actually witnessing a miracle, to be honest, today,” he said.
Tsuno indicated that his company would seek collaboration with the refinery across various sectors, including polypropylene and other petroleum products.
Devakumar Edwin, vice president of oil and gas, Dangote Industries Limited, in response to the Japanese ambassador-designate and his team, affirmed that the Dangote Refinery, a vision of Nigerian investor- Aliko Dangote, was designed and constructed by Nigerian engineers and is poised to serve the global market.
Edwin took pride in the fact that a Nigerian company not only designed but also built the world’s largest single-train refinery complex.
According to Edwin, as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the Dangote Refinery, the Nigerian company incorporated state-of-the-art technologies from around the world to ensure that the facility meets the highest standards of excellence.
The vice president of oil and gas for Dangote Industries Limited, assured the ambassador-designate and the delegation that the company is open to collaboration and dedicated to maintaining the best possible standards
Edwin noted further that Dangote Group’s petroleum products are in demand worldwide, as it expands its polypropylene section to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported polypropylene, a crucial material used in packaging, textiles, and the automotive manufacturing industries.
“Even now, we have a lot of Japanese equipment inside both the refinery and the fertiliser plant. There are significant opportunities for collaboration, as we always seek the latest technology in any business we engage in. For instance, our cement plant laboratory is managed by robots, and we always embrace advanced technology. With Japan’s focus on technological innovation, there is ample scope for cooperation and for supplying various types of technology,” he said.
Edwin declared that the Dangote Petrochemical project would significantly boost investment in the country’s downstream industries. This would, in turn, create substantial value, generate employment opportunities, increase tax revenues, reduce foreign exchange outflows, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP).
He further confirmed that the refinery produces products of international standards, already being exported globally.
“In recent weeks, we’ve exported petrol to Cameroon, Ghana, Angola, and South Africa among others. Diesel has gone all over the world, and jet fuel is being heavily exported to European markets. Our products are already making their mark internationally,” he noted.
Edwin added that the Dangote Group’s goal is to utilise Africa’s vast crude oil resources for local production of refined products, thereby creating a positive feedback loop of industrial development, job creation, and economic growth.