The Federal Government has said the Dangote Petroleum Refinery alone cannot meet Africa’s growing demand for refined petroleum products, calling for increased investment in Nigeria’s refining, midstream and downstream sectors.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, said Nigeria must build on the success of the Dangote refinery by attracting more local and international investments into the oil and gas sector.

According to the minister, additional investments are necessary if Nigeria is to move beyond supplying the West African market and emerge as a major hub for refined petroleum products across Africa.

Lokpobiri made the remarks on Tuesday at the second West Africa Refined Fuel Market Conference in Abuja, where regulators, refiners, traders, financiers and other key stakeholders in the energy sector gathered to discuss strategies for developing a transparent regional pricing system for refined petroleum products.

The minister stressed that expanding Nigeria’s refining capacity would strengthen the country’s position in the regional and continental petroleum products market while supporting energy security and economic growth.

He urged investors to take advantage of opportunities across Nigeria’s refining, midstream and downstream sectors to help meet the continent’s growing energy needs.