Dangote Industries Limited has committed approximately US$2.5 billion to develop a 600-million-litre fuel storage facility and a planned 1,700-kilometre regional petroleum pipeline in Namibia, aimed at supplying fuel markets across southern Africa.
The investment was announced by Dangote Industries Limited President and Chief Executive Officer Aliko Dangote during the official launch of the Dangote Namibia Tank Farm and Regional Pipeline Project at Farm 58, approximately 10 kilometres east of Walvis Bay, on Wednesday.
The proposed storage facility will have a capacity of approximately four million barrels, comprising 360 million litres of diesel and 240 million litres of petrol.
The development will also include truck-loading and dispensing facilities, alongside supporting infrastructure to facilitate petroleum storage and distribution.
Dangote said the planned 1,700-kilometre pipeline would connect Walvis Bay to inland markets, positioning Namibia as a regional petroleum distribution hub and providing an alternative fuel supply corridor for landlocked countries.
The proposed route will extend from Walvis Bay towards Otjiwarongo, with connections northwards towards Rundu and eastwards towards Ghanzi and Francistown in Botswana.
The broader distribution network is expected to serve Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and the southern Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, Dangote said the final pipeline alignment and length would be determined following detailed engineering studies, route surveys and the necessary regulatory approvals.
He said the investment was intended to improve regional fuel supply security, reduce transportation costs and strengthen petroleum distribution infrastructure across southern Africa.
“For Namibia, it is expected to moderate logistical vulnerabilities, high shipping costs and severe energy insecurity while promoting infrastructure, warehousing and service sector employment,” Dangote said.
He added that Botswana would benefit from diversified petroleum supply routes, while Zambia could see improvements in fuel delivery and freight efficiency.
Dangote said the project would also strengthen economic cooperation and energy independence among six former frontline states by improving cross-border fuel distribution infrastructure.
The development is expected to create employment opportunities in construction, logistics, warehousing and related services, while supporting Namibia’s ambition to establish Walvis Bay as a major regional energy and maritime logistics hub.
Dangote thanked President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Namibian Government and the people of Namibia for supporting the investment.
The project forms part of efforts to expand petroleum storage and distribution capacity in southern Africa, with Walvis Bay serving as a potential gateway for fuel imports destined for inland regional markets.
