Dangote Set To Export First Petrol Cargo Outside Africa

Last updated: Jun 19, 2025. 1:00 am

By Praise Ben

3 Min Read

Dangote Export Petrol Outside Africa

Dangote Set To Export First Petrol Cargo Outside Africa.
Shipment of 90,000 tonnes heading to Asia, loaded by Mercuria.
Refinery confident in production capacity after months of domestic fuel supply.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is set to export its first petrol cargo outside Africa, with a 90,000 metric tonne shipment scheduled for Asia on June 22. Independent oil trader, Mercuria, will handle the loading, marking a strategic milestone for Africa’s largest crude processing facility.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that a refinery spokesperson told Reuters, “We sell our products to those willing to give us the highest price. It’s the buyer’s right to take the products to any destination of their choice.”

Until now, petrol exports from the refinery, which began operations in January 2024, have been limited to West Africa. The planned shipment is seen by analysts as a signal of the refinery’s readiness to compete globally.

The $20 billion refinery, built by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has a daily processing capacity of 650,000 barrels. It began producing diesel and naphtha in early 2024 and started petrol production in September of the same year.

In recent months, the refinery has been purchasing larger volumes of U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, preferred for its higher yields of reformate and superior petrol blending properties, according to Energy Aspects analyst Randy Hurburun.

Industry experts say the move reflects growing confidence in the plant’s production stability and quality.

Clementine Wallop, Director at Horizon Engage, noted, “This development shows the Dangote refinery’s growing global importance as a petrol supplier, and the company’s confidence that production is now stable enough to meet Nigeria’s domestic needs.”