Africa’s largest oil refinery, the Dangote Refinery, has rescheduled the commencement of premium motor spirit (PMS) production, commonly known as petrol, from June to mid-July.

Aliko Dangote, the President and CEO of the refinery, announced the revised production timeline during a press briefing at the $20 billion facility in Lagos on Monday. Dangote attributed the slight delay to operational factors, necessitating the shift from the initially planned June starts to mid-July. 

He mentioned that petrol production is set to begin between the 10th and 15th of July, with distribution to local marketers slated to begin in the third week of the same month.

“We experienced a slight delay, but PMS production is anticipated to commence between the 10th and 15th of July. However, we plan to allow it to settle in the tank before market release. Therefore, by the third week of July, we aim to introduce it to the market,” stated Dangote.

Simultaneously, the refinery has initiated the supply of jet fuel and diesel to domestic marketers in the country, leading to reduced prices of these products at the pump.

Additionally, Business Day reported that the $20 billion facility has initiated the export of its first jet fuel cargo to Europe. According to data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea, the initial shipment, loaded onto the vessel “Doric Breeze,” departed from the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos on May 27th and is currently en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands.