Dangote Refinery says exporting and re‑importing fuel to Nigeria has no commercial sense.

Dangote Refinery has denied allegations that it exports refined petroleum products to neighboring countries only to re-import them into Nigeria.

The company issued this clarification in a statement posted on its official social media account on Wednesday.

The response comes after reports claiming that the $20 billion refinery prioritizes export markets over domestic fuel supply.

Dangote Refinery reiterated that the Nigerian market remains its primary focus.

According to the refinery, it would be economically illogical to incur additional shipping, storage, financing and handling costs to send products abroad and then bring them back to compete in its largest market.

The refinery also said that exports involve only volumes that are not purchased by local marketers.

“Fuel markets are complex, but commercial logic is often simple.”

“Recent claims have suggested that products produced locally are exported to neighboring countries and then re-imported into Nigeria. Before accepting such claims, it is worth asking a few important questions:”

“Does it make commercial sense to incur additional shipping, storage, financing and handling costs only for a product to return and compete in its largest and closest market?”

“Who benefits financially from such a transaction?”

“Where is the value created along the chain?”

“Nigeria remains one of the largest fuel markets in Africa, and domestic demand remains the priority. Exports occur only for volumes not purchased by domestic marketers,” the company wrote on X.