The Dangote refinery in Nigeria, the largest in Africa, started producing petrol on September 3, as stated by its owner, Aliko Dangote, providing a potential solution for the oil-rich country's fuel shortages.
On Sunday, around 500 trucks from the state-operated Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation arrived at the massive facility to begin fuel deliveries, Dangote Group reported.
Finance Minister Wale Edun hailed the moment as a "historic breakthrough day."
"Today we have taken an important step, a key step toward energy self-sufficiency in Nigeria," said Edun.
"We have taken an important step to energy security in Nigeria."
The refinery, capable of producing 650,000 barrels a day, will meet the entire domestic fuel demand with just 44% of its output, while the remaining 56% will be exported.
As petrol begins reaching stations by October 1, the Dangote refinery promises to not only ease fuel scarcity but also bolster Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves through export revenue.
