Honeywell Technologies announced on Monday, 26 October 2026, the launch of its Forge Plant Cognition industrial artificial intelligence platform at Dangote’s refinery in Lekki, near Lagos, Nigeria. Based on preliminary estimates, the US supplier says the system could generate more than $60 million a year in gross operational benefits if the plant were running at full capacity.
Honeywell puts the potential improvement at more than 29 US cents per barrel processed. The figure is neither a saving already achieved nor a net profit: it excludes the cost of implementing the platform, while actual results will depend on throughput, operating conditions and data quality, among other factors.
Built using Nvidia’s AI capabilities and Dell Technologies’ computing infrastructure, the platform is intended to analyse operating data alongside industrial models to identify bottlenecks, flag emerging equipment problems and recommend adjustments. Honeywell aims to help operators reduce unplanned downtime and make engineering decisions more quickly.
The Lekki refinery currently has a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. Honeywell is also working with Dangote on a separate plan to increase that capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day within three years. The proposed expansion is distinct from the potential benefits attributed to the new AI platform.
The companies were already working together on refinery automation and optimisation. Their latest project will connect plant operating data with Honeywell’s technical expertise while helping local teams develop industrial skills. Dangote also has a stated goal of bringing Nigerian nationals’ share of its workforce to 70%.