The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has successfully exported 456,000 tonnes of refined petroleum products through 12 cargoes lifted by international traders in March 2026.
This is according to sources inside Dangote Refinery who shared this information with Nairametrics.
The sources indicate the shipments, comprising Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), were delivered to multiple African destinations, including Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana, and Togo.
The development comes after the refinery reached its nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day in February.
What they are saying
Dangote Refinery which supplies most of Nigeria’s domestic needs has now expanded to other African markets as the war between Iran, the US and Israel piles pressure on global demand for petroleum Products.
- “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has strengthened Nigeria’s presence in the regional energy market with the successful sales of 12 cargoes, by traders, totaling 456,000 tonnes (456KT) of refined petroleum products.”
- “The shipments by traders, destined for countries such as Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana and Togo represent the refinery’s export of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) since achieving 650,000 barrels a day capacity in February.”
- “The products were sold on a FOB (Free on Board) basis to the end international traders for deliveries to the above-identified countries of export.”
Sources say the milestone shows the refinery’s ability to meet Nigeria’s domestic fuel demand while also scaling exports to regional markets.
Product demand in Sub-Saharan Africa
Information from CITAC, a leading specialist on African oil markets suggests Sub‑Saharan Africa’s Downstream Oil Sector 2025, total demand for all oil products in SSA was about 114 million metric tons in 2024.
Most African countries still depend heavily on fuel imports from outside the continent due to limited refining capacity. World Bank data shows that the leading sources of these imports include the UAE, India, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia.
According to energy consultancy CITAC, about 75% of refined fuel imported by countries in East and Southern Africa is sourced from the Middle East.
With its expanded output, sources at the Dangote Refinery say the facility is increasingly positioned to become a major supplier of refined petroleum products across Africa—signalling a shift in Nigeria’s role from a net fuel importer to an emerging exporter.
The refinery has also begun supplying Euro 5 standard gasoline and diesel, offering higher‑quality fuel options to markets that previously relied on lower-grade imports.
Get up to speed
Nairametrics earlier reported that the Dangote refinery is witnessing a surge in inquiries from African countries seeking fuel supplies following disruptions caused by the Iran war.
According to Bloomberg, several governments are scrambling to secure alternative sources of refined petroleum products.
- Officials and stakeholders say the surge in demand reflects concerns over fuel availability rather than pricing, as countries prioritise energy security.
- Governments are also taking steps to diversify supply sources to mitigate risks associated with Middle East disruptions.
- About 75% of the refinery’s output is reserved for Nigeria, while the remaining capacity is available for export.
- South Africa is seeking a 12-month standard supply contract with Nigeria, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Dangote Refinery’s growing capacity and its potential to supply markets across Africa are increasingly viewed as a major boost for the continent’s energy security—especially at a time when several countries are imposing export restrictions in response to the ongoing Iran war.
Just last week, Reuters reported that China introduced an immediate ban on exports of refined petroleum products to avert a possible domestic shortage linked to disruptions from the U.S.–Israeli conflict with Iran.
Other nations have taken measures such as capping fuel prices in an effort to curb inflationary pressures triggered by the global energy shock.
What you should know
In February, Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced it reached its full designed capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), making it the first refinery globally to achieve full nameplate capacity in a single train of that scale.
The refinery said the milestone was achieved following the optimisation of its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Motor Spirit (MS) production block, further strengthening steady-state operations at Africa’s largest oil refining facility.
Meanwhile, West Africa, in particular, has long been considered a destination for substandard fuel products, but the emergence of large-scale refining capacity in Nigeria is expected to change that narrative.
By supplying neighbouring countries, the Dangote refinery is expected to enhance energy security across West, East, and Central Africa.
Proximity to supply is also expected to reduce logistics costs and minimise delays associated with long-distance fuel imports, while easing pricing pressures in regional markets.
