Dangote Refinery Exports 1.35 Billion Litres of Petrol as Nigeria Moves Toward Fuel Export Status

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has exported approximately 1.35 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)—equivalent to 1 million tonnes—in the last 50 days, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s bid to become a net exporter of refined petroleum products.

This was revealed by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, during the Global Commodity Insights Conference on West African Refined Fuel Markets, jointly organized by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and S&P Global Insights.

“From June to date, we’ve exported about 1 million tonnes of PMS. Today, Nigeria has actually become a net exporter of refined products,” Dangote said at the event.

Ongoing Imports Despite Domestic Output

Despite Dangote’s landmark exports, Nigeria continues to rely heavily on imported gasoline, as 69% of gasoline consumed in West Africa is still sourced from overseas, according to Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of NMDPRA.

He stated that 2.05 million metric tonnes of gasoline are traded monthly in the region, with the majority still imported. This trend remains apparent in recent activity—231.88 million litres of PMS were imported into Nigeria in just eight days via key terminals in Apapa, Tin Can, and Calabar, according to shipping data from the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Addressing Monopoly Concerns

Responding to growing concerns that the Dangote Refinery may monopolize the domestic fuel market, Dangote firmly rejected such claims.

“Too many people who have the means and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our nation’s growth choose instead to criticise from the sidelines while investing their wealth abroad,” he said.

Presidential Backing for Energy Independence

President Bola Tinubu also addressed the conference virtually, calling for Africa to end its role as a price taker in the global energy market.

“Africa can no longer remain a price taker for its resources. It is time to establish credible, transparent benchmarks that reflect our realities and protect our economies,” Tinubu said via his official X (Twitter) handle.

He emphasized that Nigeria is partnering with neighboring countries to build a regional energy market that would:

• Reward local production

• Ensure energy security

• Promote regional prosperity

West Africa to Establish Fuel Pricing Benchmark

In a bid to enhance market transparency and investor confidence, NMDPRA is working with S&P Global Commodity Insights to develop West Africa’s first refined petroleum product price indices, covering:

• Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)

• Automotive Gasoil

• Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK)

• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

NMDPRA’s Farouk Ahmed said the benchmark would support:

• Real-time price visibility

• Efficient market regulation

• Infrastructure investment

“We are committed to building a transparent, data-driven market that reflects the true cost and value of fuel within West Africa,” Ahmed concluded.

Conclusion

The Dangote refinery’s export achievement is a major step toward reducing Nigeria’s import dependency and strengthening its position in regional and global energy markets. While imports persist, ongoing regulatory reforms and regional collaborations suggest a shift toward self-sufficiency, price stability, and long-term energy security across West Africa.