How mafia fought to frustrate $20bn Dangote Petroleum Refinery — Dangote

By Udeme Akpan

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual and head of the Dangote Group, claims that powerful fuel importers resisted the creation of a $20 billion refinery.

According to him, the so‑called “mafia” feared that the refinery would change the trade patterns that had led to large imports of refined petroleum into Nigeria, even though the country is a major crude oil producer and exporter.

He said he was determined to eliminate the long fuel queues that have plagued Nigeria, noting that it was troubling for Nigerians to spend hours or even days waiting to purchase petrol at stations.

The refinery, launched in 2013, faced numerous obstacles, some of which he claims were engineered by entrenched oil interests. He also noted that building essential infrastructure—including a port, heavy‑equipment facilities and a treated‑water plant—was extremely costly.

Despite the difficulties and discouragement, Dangote pressed on, saying the project would strengthen Nigeria’s, and by extension Africa’s, energy security.

In an interview with the Chief Executive Officer of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, Nicolai Tangen, monitored by Vanguard, Dangote said:

“We looked at oil. Africa produces oil, but many countries don’t refine it. They export crude and import refined products, which drains foreign reserves.

“In Nigeria,