Locally produced polypropylene from Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals stole the spotlight at PROPAK West Africa 2025, earning widespread acclaim from manufacturers, event organizers, and global supply chain leaders as a transformative force in Nigeria’s packaging and plastics industry.
The 12th edition of the annual trade show West Africa’s premier exhibition for the packaging, plastics, printing, and processing sectors served as the perfect platform for unveiling what stakeholders are calling a “breakthrough product”.
Produced at the massive Dangote complex in Lagos, the polypropylene marks a turning point in Nigeria’s petrochemical landscape, ending the country’s decades-long dependence on imported materials. With a current domestic demand of roughly 250,000 metric tonnes annually of which nearly 90% has been sourced from abroad the local availability of this crucial raw material is expected to reshape market dynamics, reduce import bills, and strengthen local manufacturing.
Speaking at the event, Segun Alabi, Assistant Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), said the organization is eager to support the rollout of Dangote’s polypropylene across local industries.
“Polypropylene is vital to many of our members’ operations. Having a reliable, high-quality local supply relieves pressure on importers and boosts manufacturing confidence,” Alabi said. “Dangote is not only meeting demand they’re producing in surplus. That opens the door for exports and foreign exchange generation.”
Also weighing in, George Pearson, Regional Director for West Africa at Montgomery Group Afrocet, the organizers of PROPAK West Africa, praised Dangote’s participation as both exhibitor and headline sponsor.
“Dangote’s presence elevated the event. As both a major buyer and key supplier in the packaging value chain, the company is uniquely positioned to transform the entire industry,” Pearson noted. “The launch of this plant will drastically cut down import reliance, support the naira, and empower local manufacturers.”
Among international stakeholders, Vinmar International LLC, a global petrochemical distributor, expressed strong interest in the new product. Shridhar Krishnamurthy, General Manager, Export Operations (Nigeria), described the development as a “turning point” for African petrochemicals.
“What Dangote has introduced is nothing short of transformational. This product is already catching the eye of international plastic producers. We’re excited to collaborate and distribute globally,” he said.
Africa’s Largest Polypropylene Plant Now Operational
The polypropylene facility, which began operations in March 2025, is the largest of its kind in Africa, boasting an annual capacity of 830,000 metric tonnes. Supplied locally in 25kg bags, the product is also being prepared for international markets via a strategic partnership with Vinmar Group.
With global polypropylene production projected to grow by over 25 million metric tonnes before 2030, Nigeria’s entry into the export market could not be better timed.
By filling the local supply gap and creating export potential, the Dangote polypropylene plant positions Nigeria not just as a regional leader, but as a competitive player in the global petrochemicals industry.
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