Nigeria becomes net petrol exporter for first time in decades as Dangote refinery scales up

Driven by the Dangote refinery, Nigeria became a net exporter of petrol in March 2026, marking a historic shift from fuel import dependency to regional supplier.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 16, 2026, 4:11 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Business Insider Africa

A Historic Reversal of Trade Dynamics

Nigeria has crossed a definitive threshold in its energy sector, recording a net surplus in petrol trade for the first time in recent history. As of March 2026, the nation’s long-standing reliance on foreign-refined fuel has been overturned by domestic production capacity. This development marks the realization of a decades-old policy goal: transitioning from an exporter of raw crude and an importer of refined products to a self-sufficient refining hub capable of supplying both domestic and international markets.

Dangote Refinery Drives Record Production

The catalyst for this shift is the 650,000 bpd-capacity Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos. In March, the facility's crude oil intake climbed to 565,000 bpd, one of its highest utilization rates since commencing operations in late 2023. This surge in domestic refining allowed petrol imports to plummet to approximately 41,000 bpd—the lowest volume on record. With refinery exports reaching 44,000 bpd during the same period, Nigeria posted a net export surplus of roughly 3,000 bpd.

Expanding Exports to East African Markets

The refinery’s reach is already extending beyond West Africa. In March, a 317,000-barrel cargo of petrol was shipped to Mozambique, marking Nigeria's first significant fuel export to the East African region. A second cargo is scheduled for delivery to Beira, Mozambique, in April. This expansion comes as East African buyers actively seek alternatives to Middle Eastern suppliers, who have faced persistent logistical risks and shipping disruptions due to regional instability.