The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a major milestone for Africa’s economic transformation. According to him, the project symbolizes what the continent’s private sector can achieve when bold vision meets execution.
Touray gave this endorsement during a high-level visit to the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery in Lekki, Lagos. He led a delegation that included Sediko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation; Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, Commissioner for Internal Services; Dr. Tony Luka Elumelu, Director of Private Sector/SME; and Hon. Abdou Kolley, Chief of Staff.
After touring the massive facility, Touray called the refinery a “monument of hope” and a game-changer for West Africa. “Anyone who doubts Africa’s potential needs to see this. This refinery proves that world-class infrastructure is possible on African soil,” he said.
Private Investment Can Reshape the Continent
Touray praised Alhaji Aliko Dangote for investing heavily in Africa when many remain hesitant. He emphasized that such projects only happen when investors truly believe in the continent’s future.
“You don’t commit this level of resources unless you believe in African potential,” he noted. “Dangote’s commitment reflects deep trust in the region’s capacity to grow.”
Importantly, the ECOWAS chief called on governments to create more favorable conditions for private sector investment. He warned that many policies fail because they are crafted without real input from business leaders.
“As we mark 50 years of ECOWAS, we must shift from only regulating to actually collaborating,” Touray said. “Engaging private leaders like Dangote helps us build policies that work.”
Raising Standards, Protecting Health
Touray also praised the refinery’s ability to produce cleaner fuels that meet ECOWAS’ Euro V standard, 50 parts per million (ppm) in sulphur. This development, he said, is critical in tackling air pollution and health risks from low-quality fuel imports.
“Some of our member states still import fuels below our environmental standards,” he noted. “Now we have a local solution that exceeds those benchmarks.”
He stressed that this leap in quality should encourage others to raise their standards too. “This isn’t just about economics—it’s about health, the environment, and future generations.”
ECOWAS Urges Regional Support for Industrial Growth
Touray concluded with a powerful message to ECOWAS members: support large-scale industrial projects and help reduce poverty across West Africa. While public institutions play a vital role, he insisted that only the private sector has the capital to scale transformation.
“Government alone cannot fix our problems,” he said. “We need private investment to generate jobs, reduce reliance on imports, and secure our future.”
He added that projects like the Dangote Refinery should not stand alone. Instead, they should inspire more industrial developments across the continent.
“This is more than a refinery,” Touray said. “It’s a statement that Africa can industrialise, innovate, and lead—if we empower the right players and build the right environment.”