Africa’s largest refinery, the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, has suffered a setback after shutting its key gasoline-producing unit. The Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCCU) was taken offline on August 29 due to catalyst leaks and technical problems, with repairs expected to keep the facility partially idled for at least two weeks, Reuters reported from industry sources.
The outage has already reduced gasoline availability across the Atlantic Basin, tightening supplies and pushing up refining margins for U.S. producers. Analysts pointed out that the development mirrors supply chain disruptions seen recently in the Middle East, where unplanned refinery closures have lifted global crack spreads, Reuters coverage underscored.
While the refinery remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s ambition to curb fuel imports, this setback highlights the risks tied to single-site infrastructure. Market experts stress that even short-term technical failures can ripple through international trade flows, with implications for pricing and regional supply stability, as industry observers emphasized in the reporting.
The Dangote Group has not issued a detailed statement on the timeline for restoring full gasoline output. However, traders are bracing for further volatility, as the shutdown delays the refinery’s role in easing chronic import reliance and stabilizing West Africa’s fuel market.
