The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has become a game-changer in West and Central Africa, rewriting the story of fuel supply and ending Nigeria’s decades-long struggle with dependence on imported petroleum products.
Sitting on the Lagos coastline with a massive capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the refinery has cut Nigeria’s fuel imports dramatically — from over 500,000 barrels a day in early 2023 to just 88,000 barrels by the first quarter of 2025. That sharp drop has knocked Nigeria off the list of Africa’s top petrol importers, a spot now occupied by South Africa.
From imports to exports
For the first time in years, Nigeria isn’t just producing enough fuel for itself — it’s exporting to neighbours. Diesel, gasoil, and jet fuel from Dangote are already flowing to Senegal, Togo, Benin, and Gabon. Beyond Africa, shipments have landed in the U.S. and even Saudi Arabia.
Gary Clark of S&P Global Commodity Insights put it clearly during a webinar with the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria: “Before Dangote ramped up, West Africa relied heavily on Europe for supplies. Now, the refinery is meeting regional demand and still exporting beyond the continent.”
Billions saved and earned
The numbers tell their own story. Aliko Dangote revealed that the refinery is projected to save Nigeria up to $10 billion in foreign exchange this year by cutting down imports. Just between June and July 2025, it exported one million tonnes of petrol — making Nigeria a net exporter of refined products for the first time.
It has also ended the country’s dependence on imported jet fuel. Imports, once at 13,000 barrels per day, have dropped to just 5,000, with local aviation now almost fully supplied domestically.
Global attention
The ripple effect has reached international markets. In early 2025, the U.S. imported 1.7 million barrels of jet fuel from Dangote in a single month, while Saudi Aramco purchased three cargoes amounting to 130 million litres. That’s not just trade — it’s a statement that Africa is stepping into the global energy spotlight.
According to CITAC, sub-Saharan Africa’s crude processing jumped nearly 78% in 2024, with Dangote’s refinery at the heart of the growth. Currently operating at 550,000 barrels a day, it already meets about 60% of Nigeria’s petrol needs, shielding the country from global price swings.
A turning point for Africa
For many analysts, this refinery isn’t just about Nigeria — it’s a turning point for the entire region. By reducing dependence on imports, creating new export opportunities, and stabilising supply, Africa is beginning to chart its own energy destiny.
As Gary Clark summed it up: “The Dangote refinery has redefined energy security in Africa. It has turned the region from a consumer into a serious player in global fuel trade.”
And with production still scaling up, the story is far from over. Nigeria is now positioning itself not just as a consumer but as the hub of refined petroleum exports in Africa — a shift that could reshape energy trade for decades to come.
