Business
Dangote refinery ramps up production with US crude – Report

The 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery is taking advantage of cheaper oil imports from the United States for as much as a third of its feedstock as it starts up production.
A report by Bloomberg on Thursday stated that the plant has been shipping products in recent weeks while readying two units to enable gasoline (petrol) output that will deliver a long-promised transformation of the fuel market both in Nigeria and the region. It attributed this to analysts.
“Dangote is going to influence Atlantic Basin gasoline markets this summer and for the rest of the year,” said Alan Gelder, Vice President of Refining, Chemicals, and Oil Markets at the consultancy firm, Wood Mackenzie.
He added, “When the RFCC comes online, that’ll really shake things up because it alters the West African gasoline supply balance,” referring to a residue fluid catalytic cracking unit that upgrades heavier products.
The refinery is running at about 300,000 barrels per day, nearly half its nameplate capacity, according to the average estimate of analysts at WoodMac, FGE, and Citac.
The complex has started shipping jet fuel, gasoil, and naphtha as it widens to a full slate of products.
Wood Mackenzie expects the gasoline-focused units to be online this summer, while other analysts expect the RFCC to take until the end of the year.
Dangote Industries said earlier this month that gasoline deliveries will start in May. A company spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to questions.
“The refinery is already having a sizable impact on product markets even running in its most stripped-back form at minimum rates,” said Ronan Hodgson, an energy analyst at FGE. Units that boost diesel quality will also start up in the coming months.
Business
Tax Reform: I rented secret apartment after death threats –Oyedele
These are not small boys and girls,” he said. “They are big people with deep connections and resources. So naturally, they would resist any effort to block those illegal streams.

Oyedele said that the threats began shortly after he announced a clampdown on more than 60 government agencies illegally collecting taxes and levies across the country.
Chairman of Nigeria’s Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that he was forced to flee his home and now lives in a secret location under armed police protection after receiving death threats linked to his tax reform efforts.
The Guardian reports that during a live radio interview on Nigeria Info FM, Oyedele said that the threats began shortly after he announced a clampdown on more than 60 government agencies illegally collecting taxes and levies across the country.
“I had to pack out of my house,” he said. “I rented a place in a secret location where I now live. I’m not the kind of person who wants anybody carrying a gun to follow me around, but I had to accept mobile police protection.”
”Oyedele, a former Africa Tax Lead at PwC, has led the drive to simplify and clean up Nigeria’s tax system.
He described the backlash as unexpected but driven by powerful individuals who had turned tax collection into a personal revenue stream.
“These are not small boys and girls,” he said. “They are big people with deep connections and resources. So naturally, they would resist any effort to block those illegal streams.”
Business
Dangote Refinery Planning 1.6m Barrels Fuel Storage Tanks in Namibia
The storage tanks would be used to supply petrol and diesel to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Dangote petroleum refinery will construct storage tanks in Namibia to hold at least 1.6 million barrels of petrol and diesel to supply refined fuel to southern Africa.
Reuters reports that the storage tanks would be used to supply petrol and diesel to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Dangote was also considering supplying fuel to southern Democratic Republic of Congo, the sources said.
It was not immediately clear how much the project would cost, but the second source said construction of the storage tanks would begin shortly in the port city of Walvis Bay.
The move underscores the refinery’s ambition to dominate fuel supply in Africa and beyond, potentially reshaping energy trade flows in the region and boosting access to refined products for southern African nations.
Business
UBA Announces Strategic Expansion into Key Markets Across Africa

UBA Group senior executives have concluded the Group’s Half Year Business Review, which was held at the global headquarters in Lagos Nigeria.
UBA Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, brought together executives responsible for UBA’s twenty-four countries of operation.
He said “the gathering was an opportunity to restate the Group’s pan-African strategy, and commitment to further expanding the Group’s coverage across high potential markets across Africa, while also deepening its operations in its existing twenty African presence markets.
“With over 51.7% of Group revenues from ex Nigerian operations, UBA’s journey to being Africa’s most diversified financial services group was clearly in evidence.”
The international strategic intent reinforces with the Group’s intention to deliver innovative financial solutions to its fast-growing global customer base.
The strategy demonstrates UBA’s unique position as Africa’s global bank and ability to leverage growth opportunities in emerging and leading African markets.
The Group commenced its Pan African journey, with its entry into Ghana in 2004, followed by rapid expansion into 18 additional African markets.
Today, as a resilient and future-focused institution, UBA continues to push boundaries by connecting Africa to the world and the world to Africa.
Mr Alawuba highlighted the Group’s expansion plans, disclosing that the Group is excited about the vast opportunities that the new markets present, a testament to UBA Group’s confidence in the African economy, providing world-class banking services that meet the continent’s evolving needs.
He noted that: “UBA’s vision is clear – we are building a truly global institution anchored in Africa, but serving customers across continents”.
“Further strategic expansion positions us to unlock new opportunities, support intra-Africa trade, and deliver world-class banking experiences wherever our clients choose to do business,” Alawuba said.
“In Europe, UBA has operations in the United Kingdom and upgrading its license in France, expanding its capacity to serve cross-border trade, investment flows, and the African diaspora, complementing our over 40-year presence in NY.”
These moves signal a clear message of UBA’s intent to reshape the competitive landscape”, Alawuba further said.
As part of the Group’s plan to expand its global presence, UBA, in January, announced plans to open operations in Saudi Arabia.
Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees’ group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally.
-
News3 days ago
CBN And Bank of Industry Partner With CEAN To Stabilise Nigeria’s Creative Sector Post-COVID
-
Politics2 days ago
LG ELECTION: Lagosians head to polls today for LG, councillorship elections
-
Business3 days ago
Tax Reform: I rented secret apartment after death threats –Oyedele
-
Business3 days ago
Dangote Refinery Planning 1.6m Barrels Fuel Storage Tanks in Namibia
-
Politics2 days ago
SITREP: Electoral officials await deployment at Ikosi-Isheri LCDA
-
Politics2 days ago
JUST IN: Vote counting begins in Yaba despite low turnout of voters
-
Politics2 days ago
I’ll return to senate on Tuesday, says Natasha Akpoti after court judgment
-
Politics2 days ago
SITREP: Lagos voters await LASIEC officials at polling unit in Ikoyi, Obalende