After completing this case, students will be able to:
Understand the strategic importance of the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria’s energy and industrial sectors.
Apply analytical frameworks to assess the financial, logistical, and regulatory risks faced by large-scale infrastructure projects in emerging markets.
Analyze strategies to align sustainability goals with industrial operations and stakeholder expectations.
Evaluate regional trade frameworks such as AfCFTA to design market-expansion strategies in Nigeria.
Evaluate supply-chain integration models to improve operational efficiency and infrastructure resilience.
Develop a strategy to combat crude-sourcing and supplier-network challenges.
The Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest oil refinery, symbolizes a transformative effort to address Nigeria’s longstanding dependence on imported refined petroleum products while fostering economic growth and regional energy independence. Operational in 2024, the refinery was designed to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil daily, making Nigeria self-sufficient in refined petroleum products and generating surplus for export. Despite its ambitious goals, the project faced significant challenges, including high capital requirements, regulatory complexities, reliance on imported crude and environmental concerns. Additionally, the project encountered operational hurdles such as skill gaps, infrastructure inefficiencies and volatile global oil prices. Critics argued that a more integrated approach combining crude production and refining could have mitigated supply chain risks. However, the refinery’s potential to catalyze industrial growth, create jobs and contribute to regional trade underscores its importance in Nigeria’s energy sector. This case highlights the interplay of visionary leadership, financial resilience and strategic planning required for large-scale infrastructure projects to succeed in emerging markets.
Postgraduate graduate level (Strategy and Entrepreneurship courses)
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
CSS11: Strategy.
