African refinery throughput is expected to rise 33% by 2030, reaching a total capacity of 2.4 million barrels per day (bpd). This projected growth aligns with continental ambitions to support the rising demand for petroleum products – increasing 50% by 2050 – with recent refining developments contributing to enhanced production capacity.
Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery: 650,000 BPD
Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery is working toward full operational capacity since its launch in January 2024. As Africa’s largest refining facility, the project is expected to play a major part in stabilizing West African petroleum trade. In March 2025, the facility started importing crude from Brazil and Equatorial Guinea. Talks are also underway with Senegal and Libya to secure supplies.
South Africa’s SAPREF Refinery: 600,000 BPD
Following the acquisition of the SAPREF refinery by the state-owned Central Energy Fund in 2024, the South African government announced plans in 2025 to rehabilitate the facility, targeting a capacity of 600,000 bpd. Before the facility was closed in 2022, it produced an average 180,000 bpd, contributing towards 35% of the country’s refining capacity. To achieve this, the government is seeking investment and technical support.
Nigeria’s Port Harcourt Refinery: 210,000 bpd
The Port Harcourt Refinery in Nigeria is undergoing a rehabilitation program, which includes resumption of operations at the old 60,000 bpd facility and the addition of a new 150,000 bpd unit. Closed for over a decade due to underinvestment and maintenance challenges, the old refinery started production in December 2024 and is now operating at 70% capacity. In 2024, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) also issued a tender for a private operator of the facility, with plans to begin operations soon.
Angola’s Lobito Refinery: 200,000 BPD
Angola’s Lobito Refinery is advancing, with engineering firm KBR securing a project management contract for the facility in 2024. With a capacity of 200,000 bpd, the project will be the largest refining facility in Angola. Led by the country’s national oil company Sonangol, the facility will increase Angola’s refining capacity by 200%. KBR completed the FEED stage of the project in 2023, eyeing a 2027 start. A definitive construction timeline is yet to be announced.
Nigeria’s Warri Refinery: 125,000 BPD
Nigeria started crude oil processing at the Warri Refinery in December 2024 after a decade of shutdown. With a nameplate capacity of 125,000 bpd, the facility is currently operating at 60% capacity, with efforts underway to bring the facility to full operational capacity. In February 2025, the NNPC announced planned maintenance was underway at the facility, aimed at ensuring optimal operations.
Uganda Oil Refinery: 60,000 BPD
The Uganda National Oil Corporation (UNOC) is advancing the development of a $4 billion oil refinery in the country. UNOC contracted private investment firm Alpha MBM Investments in April 2025 as Lead Partner on the project, targeting a capacity of 60,000 bpd. The partners will now proceed with the signing of the requisite commercial agreements, including a Host Government Agreement, Crude Suppliers Agreement and Shareholders Agreement. The refinery will support upcoming oilfield projects such as Kingfisher and Tilenga, both of which are coming online in 2025.
Angola’s Cabinda Refinery: 30,000 BPD
Angola’s Cabinda Refinery will start commercial operations in 2025, bringing an additional 30,000 bpd to market in its first phase. Developed by asset manager Gemcorp, the refinery has the potential to increase output to 60,000 bpd in future phases, and represents the second refining facility under construction in the country. The facility is backed by a $335 million project financing facility by the Africa Finance Corporation, the African Export-Import Bank and a consortium of international lenders.
