Dangote exports 1.66 billion litresof fuel amid rising US‑Iran tensions

According to the latest figures released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals exported roughly 1.66 billion litres of refined petroleum products during April 2026.

The export surge occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East and concerns that the growing conflict between the United States and Iran could disrupt global fuel supply routes.

An analysis of the NMDPRA’s April 2026 fact sheet indicates that the country shipped about 513 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), 534 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and 615 million litres of aviation fuel within the month.

The Dangote refinery remains the only large‑scale operational refinery in Nigeria capable of producing sufficient refined products for both domestic use and export.

This marks the first month the facility has dispatched such a high volume of petroleum products, particularly jet fuel and diesel, underscoring the importance of the 650,000‑barrel‑per‑day plant located in Lekki, Lagos State.

Combined, the exports amount to roughly 55.4 million litres per day. The development comes as the international oil market grapples with renewed uncertainty over the security of the Strait of Hormuz—a key global oil shipping corridor—following the failure of the United States and Iran to reach a peace agreement.

Industry observers note that the heightened geopolitical risk has amplified demand for refined products from alternative suppliers such as Nigeria, as Europe, Africa and parts of Asia seek more reliable fuel sources.

The NMDPRA document shows that local refineries operated at an average capacity utilisation of 99.12 percent in April, with the Dangote refinery accounting for the overwhelming share of output.

The regulator reported that the refinery achieved 100 percent capacity utilisation “for most of the days in April.” It also indicated that domestic refineries received 18.37 million barrels of crude oil in April, up from 13.11 million barrels in March.

Despite higher domestic supply obligations, the refinery maintained strong export momentum. The fact sheet notes an average daily petrol production of 53.6 million litres, of which 40.7 million litres were supplied locally and 17.1 million litres were exported.

Diesel output averaged 23.6 million litres per day, with exports accounting for 17.8 million litres—more than twice the domestic supply of 8 million litres per day. Aviation fuel exports stood at 20.5 million litres daily, compared with a domestic supply of 2.6 million litres per day.

The robust aviation fuel export performance follows reports that local airline operators had threatened to suspend operations due to rising fuel costs.

There are indications that Nigeria has become a net petrol exporter for the first time in decades, driven by increased output from the Dangote refinery. The facility had previously exported about 434 million litres of petrol in March after domestic production outpaced local consumption.

These latest figures highlight Nigeria’s gradual shift from a major importer of refined petroleum products to a regional export hub. Analysts observe that jet‑fuel exports could climb further if instability in the Middle East continues to disrupt traditional supply chains serving Europe and other markets.

The Middle East supplies a sizable share of global aviation fuel, with the Strait of Hormuz serving as a strategic transit route for crude oil and refined products. Prolonged disruption in the region has tightened global fuel supplies and contributed to higher international prices.

The NMDPRA report also revealed that Nigerians consumed an average of 51.1 million litres of petrol per day in April, slightly above the regulator’s benchmark of 50 million litres. Diesel consumption was 17.3 million litres daily, while aviation fuel use averaged 2.5 million litres per day.

Even with increased local refining activity, petrol prices remained high nationwide. The regulator attributed the price levels partly to international crude oil costs, which averaged $120.55 per barrel during the month, while gasoline prices were $1,074.97 per metric tonne.

With a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the Dangote refinery is expected to play a central role in Nigeria’s energy security and foreign‑exchange earnings as global fuel‑trade patterns evolve amid geopolitical tensions.

While the refinery continues to export petrol, the NMDPRA has also kept issuing licences for the importation of petrol.