In a strategic move to bolster its leadership, Dangote Group has appointed David Bird as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its petroleum and petrochemicals division.
This appointment, effective July 2025, comes at a pivotal time as the refinery seeks to address operational challenges and expand its footprint across Africa.
A Seasoned Leader with Global Expertise
David Bird brings over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.
Educated at Imperial College London and holding an MBA from Stanford University, Bird’s career includes significant roles at Shell, where he served as Vice President of the Prelude FLNG project in Australia.
He also chaired Shell Australia’s RAP board and led operations at the Pulau Bukom refinery in Singapore, Shell’s largest refinery.
Prior to joining Dangote, Bird was the CEO of Duqm Refinery in Oman, a joint venture between OQ Group and Kuwait Petroleum International.
His leadership there focused on refinery expansion and crude diversification, aligning with Dangote Refinery’s goals to enhance operational efficiency and output.
Addressing Operational Challenges
Dangote Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has faced operational setbacks since its commissioning in January 2024.
Issues such as unit upsets and design flaws have hindered its ramp-up phase.
Bird’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to leverage his expertise in refinery operations to address these challenges and drive the refinery towards full capacity.
Strategic Vision For Pan-African Growth
Bird’s vision extends beyond resolving current operational issues.
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He aims to position Dangote Refinery as a leading refining force across Africa.
Plans include expanding the refinery’s capacity to 700,000 barrels per day, developing port infrastructure, establishing storage hubs abroad, and launching a direct fuel distribution network using 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks by August 2025.
The Appointment
David Bird’s appointment as CEO of Dangote Refinery marks a significant step in the company’s journey towards operational excellence and regional expansion.
With his extensive experience and strategic vision, Bird is poised to lead Dangote Refinery through its current challenges and towards a future of growth and leadership in Africa’s energy sector.
