Dangote Refinery denies allegations of exporting and re‑importing petrol.

By Udeme Akpan

The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has expressed concern over circulating claims that its petroleum products are exported to Lomé and then re-imported into Nigeria.

In a statement, the company said it does not entertain baseless allegations but felt it necessary to address what it calls “deliberate misinformation.”

The management noted that the allegation lacks verifiable trade data, commercial logic, or alignment with the refinery’s operational realities. It emphasized that a core mandate of the refinery is to strengthen domestic supply and remain a leading provider of petroleum products in Nigeria.

Any practice that would allow imports to compete directly with its own production contradicts this objective, the statement added. Accordingly, all sales contracts and tender agreements explicitly prohibit the resale or re-importation of Dangote Refinery products into Nigeria.

The management also pointed out that the economics of the alleged trade route are fundamentally flawed. “Estimated logistics costs for transporting products from the refinery to Lomé and back into Nigeria range between US$82–90 per metric ton. Such additional costs would significantly erode margins and render the transaction commercially unviable,” the statement read.

“Dangote Refinery does not provide export discounts sufficient to offset these costs or create arbitrage opportunities between export and domestic markets. Simply put, no rational producer would incur additional shipping, storage, financing, and handling costs only for products to re-enter and compete in its primary market,” the statement added.

The management highlighted that the refinery maintains stringent product traceability protocols, including detailed records of lifting points, nominated vessels, counterparties, and declared destinations. These measures ensure full visibility and accountability across the supply chain.

The statement insisted that any claim suggesting the refinery facilitates or tolerates re-importation is inconsistent with its contractual safeguards and established compliance standards. It further said, “The refinery has consistently advocated for reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products. Management underscores that encouraging or enabling re-importation would undermine local refining efforts, strain foreign exchange reserves, and weaken national industrial growth—positions that are contrary to its core objectives.”

“Management reiterates that there is no strategic, economic, or operational basis for the claim that Dangote Refinery exports products for re-importation into Nigeria. The allegation is entirely unfounded and does not withstand scrutiny when measured against market logic, contractual frameworks, and industry practices,” the statement concluded.

“Dangote Refinery remains focused on its mission to enhance energy security, support local refining, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s industrial development.”