In a bold move that cements Nigeria’s growing influence in the petrochemicals arena, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals has signed an exclusive agreement with Premier Product Marketing LLC, a subsidiary of global distributor Vinmar Group. The partnership, announced this week in a joint statement, will see Dangote-branded polypropylene reach customers across Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Just two months after the Lekki complex began upscaling its polypropylene line, Dangote’s commercial arm formalized the deal that promises to make “Dangote Polypropylene™” a household name among international manufacturers. The Ibeju-Lekki plant, a centerpiece of the $2 billion petrochemical investment, boasts an annual capacity of 900,000 metric tonnes and will produce 77 distinct polypropylene grades.
“Vinmar’s extensive network and expertise complement our ambition to showcase Nigerian-made polypropylene on the world stage,” said Hajiya Fatima Aliko Dangote, Group Executive Director (Commercial) of Dangote Industries. “Our goal is for Dangote Polypropylene to stand for consistent quality, innovation and reliability.”
Vinmar’s CEO, Vishal Goradia, echoed this optimism: “We have enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Dangote in Nigeria. Extending that collaboration to a global level allows us to deliver a top-tier product born from INEOS INNOVENE technology to new markets.”
Technology and Market Impact
INEOS’s proven INNOVENE process underpins the facility’s ability to manufacture polypropylene suitable for packaging, automotive parts, textiles and construction materials. With domestic supply already threatening to reshape Nigerian markets, the new export channels are expected to accelerate foreign-exchange inflows and strengthen the naira.
Industry analysts note that the addition of Dangote’s output has the potential to disrupt long-standing players. “This is Africa’s largest polypropylene plant coming online at full tilt,” commented one analyst. “It will challenge imports from the Middle East and even the Port Harcourt output of Indorama Eleme.”
Broader Economic Promise
Beyond petrochemicals, the agreement represents a fresh vote of confidence in Nigeria’s industrial ambitions. It follows the start-up of Dangote’s refining units earlier this year and dovetails with government efforts to diversify the economy away from crude exports.
Vinmar—founded in 1978 and now operating in 58 offices worldwide—brings decades of logistics and marketing acumen. By leveraging Vinmar’s global footprint, Dangote stands to secure long-term purchase agreements and technical support for its burgeoning product line.
With the domestic polypropylene market already supplied in 25 kg bags since February, the global launch is slated for the coming quarter. As Dangote and Vinmar ramp up joint sales efforts, Nigeria’s petrochemicals sector can look forward to a surge in foreign investment, export revenue and jobs.
When fully operational, the Lekki complex will boast two polypropylene trains—500,000 mt/year and 330,000 mt/year—poised to satisfy both local demand and an appetite for homegrown Nigerian polymers abroad. What began as an ambitious vision is now taking shape: Nigerian-made polypropylene, rising on par with the best in the world.