Japanese envoy, business community applaud Dangote refinery

The Japanese Business Community in Nigeria, led by Japan’s Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, has described Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals as an astonishing masterpiece, showcasing Nigeria’s technological advancements.

The Japanese delegation, which toured the facilities housing both the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Petrochemicals and Dangote Fertilisers, commended the state-of-the-art technology on display, noting that it reinforced Nigeria’s role as the gateway to Africa.

According to the Managing Director of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Takashi Oku, while Nigeria remains the gateway to Africa, the Dangote Refinery stands as a remarkable project that showcases the country’s technological progress.

He added that the facility, as the world’s largest single-train refinery, was a point of immense pride for Nigeria. JETRO is Japan’s governmental organisation for trade and investment.

“We had heard about the excellence of the Dangote Refinery through the media, but seeing it in person has left us truly amazed by its vastness and grandeur. It demonstrates that Nigeria’s population is not only growing but also advancing in technology.”

We are keen to collaborate with Nigerian companies, especially Dangote Refinery,” he said. Managing Director of Itochu Nigeria Limited, Masahiro Tsuno, also praised the sheer size and automation of the Dangote Refinery, calling it a miracle and one of the wonders of the world.

Responding to the ambassador-designate and his team, the Vice President of Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, explained that the facility was the vision of a Nigerian investor- Aliko Dangote, designed and built by Nigerians, and intended to serve the global market.

Edwin also stated that the Dangote Petrochemical project would significantly boost investment in downstream industries, creating substantial value, generating employment, increasing tax revenues, reducing foreign exchange outflows, and contributing to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).