Canadian aerospace giant Bombardier Inc. has hailed the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a world-class energy project with the potential to transform Africa’s aviation industry and reshape global fuel supply chains.
Leading a high-level delegation to the refinery in Lagos, Bombardier Chairman Pierre Beaudoin described the facility, billed as the world’s largest single-train refinery, as “exceptional” for its scale, technology, and environmental standards.
“The refinery makes jet fuel in large quantities, and that is good for the industry,” Beaudoin said. “From what I understand, their jet fuel is environmentally friendly, taking the sulphur out, and that is exceptional. This is a world-class project that will turn on innovation in Africa. It means the best refinery project in the world is in Nigeria.”
Beaudoin was joined by Regional Vice Presidents Hani Haddadin and Chris Davey, as well as Corporate Director Jean Bernier. As a symbolic gesture of partnership, the Bombardier team presented a prototype aircraft to Dangote, signalling confidence in the refinery’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality aviation fuel.
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, personally led the tour alongside Devakumar Edwin, the group’s Vice President for Oil & Gas. He emphasized that the refinery was deliberately designed to meet the most stringent international benchmarks, including those set by the World Bank, US Environmental Protection Agency, European Union, and Nigeria’s Department of Petroleum Resources
“Our products meet international specifications. We have the capacity to meet Nigeria’s domestic demand while also supplying Europe, Asia, America, and beyond,” Dangote said. He added that the refinery can serve as a national energy reserve in times of crisis, ensuring Nigeria’s security against global supply shocks.
The refinery, which also houses a large petrochemical complex, is one of the few in the world executed entirely in-house by its owner as an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor. Dangote said this approach ensured strict quality control, efficiency, and integration of operations.
Industry analysts note that Bombardier’s endorsement highlights the refinery’s potential as a reliable hub for jet fuel supply at a time when airlines are grappling with volatile energy markets and stricter emissions regulations. The facility’s capacity for cleaner, low-sulphur fuel also positions it as a key player in the global shift toward sustainable aviation.
With Bombardier’s backing, the Dangote Refinery is gaining international recognition not just as Africa’s largest industrial project, but as a catalyst for innovation, energy independence, and aviation growth across the continent.
