Aliko Dangote’s refinery set to start polypropylene exports

Key Points

• Dangote refinery begins polypropylene exports via Vinmar, boosting Nigeria’s industrial output and reducing $267 million in annual polymer import costs. 
• Africa’s largest polypropylene plant scales to 52 million bags/month, targets regional packaging demand from West to Southern Africa. 
• Dangote refinery hits 500,000 b/d, eyes $30 billion revenue by 2026 from fuel, fertilizer, and petrochemical exports.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, Africa’s largest refinery owned by the continent’s richest billionaire Aliko Dangote, is set to begin exporting polypropylene globally through a strategic alliance with Vinmar Group, an international petrochemicals distribution giant. The move marks a major milestone for Nigerian industrial exports as the country shifts from import dependence to value-added manufacturing.

Polypropylene, a critical raw material in packaging and consumer goods, has long been a deficit product in Nigeria, which imports 90 percent of its annual demand, roughly 250,000 metric tons. With local output now accelerating, the new supply from Dangote’s petrochemical facility could save the country an estimated $267 million in foreign exchange annually. 

“We’re pleased to partner with Vinmar to introduce Dangote Polypropylene to global markets,” said Fatima Aliko Dangote, Executive Director of Dangote Industries, during the official commissioning of the facility in Lagos.

Dangote Packaging scales to meet regional demand

Launched in March, the polypropylene plant began by producing 25kg bags for domestic use. Since then, Dangote Packaging Limited (DPL) has ramped up production from 36 million to 52 million polypropylene bags per month, with targets to scale higher in the coming years. 

This expansion is part of a broader strategy to support West, Central, and Southern African markets, and aligns with the growing industrial demands of the Dangote Group. The facility will produce from two integrated units with capacities of 500,000 mt/year and 330,000 mt/year, making it the largest polypropylene production site in Africa once fully operational.

Vinmar CEO Vishal Goradia hailed the long-standing partnership, saying, “We are proud to expand our relationship with Dangote through this important initiative and are thrilled to support the global launch of Dangote Polypropylene.”

Refinery hits global milestones, eyes $30 billion annual revenue

Located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, the refinery, designed to process 650,000 barrels per day (b/d), hit 500,000 b/d in January 2025 and is on track to reach full capacity by mid-year. 

In March, Dangote shipped over 2 million barrels of jet fuel to the U.S., after importing Saudi crude in February, signaling its entry into global energy trade. In addition, it received 146,000 metric tons of crude oil from international sources to accelerate production ramp-up.

The polypropylene push forms part of a broader plan by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, with a net worth of $27.7 billion, aims to drive the group’s revenues to $30 billion by 2026 through integrated exports of refined fuels, fertilizers, and petrochemicals.