Nigeria Could Add Seven Modular Refineries in 2027, Expanding Local Fuel Supply

Nigeria’s drive to refine more petroleum products at home could receive a boost in 2027. At the OTL Africa Downstream conference in Lagos, Argus Media analyst George Maher-Bonnett projected that seven modular refineries with a combined processing capacity of 83,000 barrels per day may begin operations next year.

That would be a significant addition to the sector. According to the figures presented, four modular refineries were operating in September 2026, with a combined capacity of 32,000 barrels per day. If every proposed facility becomes operational, the two groups together would account for roughly 115,000 barrels per day in nominal capacity.

The forecast arrives as increased domestic output, including production from the Dangote refinery, changes the market for imported fuel. Yet the projection is not a confirmed commissioning schedule: the seven projects, their owners and their individual start dates were not identified.

For businesses in logistics, distribution and manufacturing, a broader local refining base could eventually improve supply options. The key questions are whether the plants are completed on time, can secure crude feedstock and operate commercially amid softer fuel demand.