Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has entered into a new partnership with Vinmar Group, a global petrochemicals distribution company, to take Dangote’s polypropylene products to international markets. This move comes just months after Dangote’s $2 billion petrochemical plant in Lekki, Lagos, began production of polypropylene in March 2025.
The plant, which produces 830 metric tonnes daily, packages the polypropylene in 25kg bags for distribution, mainly targeting local manufacturers. With the new deal, the company is looking beyond Nigeria’s borders, aiming to position Dangote Polypropylene as a recognized global brand.
Fatima Aliko Dangote, the Group Executive Director (Commercial) of Dangote Group, described the partnership with Vinmar as a major milestone in the company’s ambition to grow its international footprint. She said the product will join the list of Dangote brands already known for quality and dependability in global markets. According to her, “We’re pleased to partner with Vinmar to introduce Dangote Polypropylene to the global markets. It will follow other Dangote products to become a global brand known for quality and reliability.”
Polypropylene is a versatile plastic polymer made from propylene and is used across several key industries. Dangote’s production is being tailored for sectors such as packaging, automotive, textile, and construction, due to its strength, light weight, and resistance to chemicals.
Currently, Nigeria imports about 90 percent of its yearly polypropylene demand, estimated at 250,000 metric tonnes. With the new facility, local manufacturers expect that Nigeria can save up to $267 million annually by producing polypropylene domestically instead of importing.
The Dangote Group has already started scaling up production. The company announced earlier this month that it is increasing its production capacity from 36 million to 52 million polypropylene bags per month. There are also plans to expand this figure further in the coming years as part of efforts to dominate regional markets.
Once the Dangote Petrochemical Plant becomes fully operational, it will be the largest of its kind in Africa. The facility is designed to run two major production units, with one capable of producing 500,000 metric tonnes per year and the other producing 330,000 metric tonnes per year.
The aim is not only to meet local demand but to position Dangote Petroleum Limited as a major exporter to markets across West, Central, and Southern Africa. The company is already in talks with eight African countries for fuel supply from its refinery, and this new push with petrochemicals is another part of its larger regional expansion strategy.
Dangote’s entry into petrochemical exports could shift Nigeria’s role in the global plastics market, reducing reliance on imports while bringing in foreign exchange through exports. With rising demand for polypropylene across the continent, the company is hoping to tap into a growing market while strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capabilities.
The success of this partnership with Vinmar could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Dangote in the global petrochemicals business, especially as the group continues to grow its footprint in heavy industries and manufacturing.
