Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery is making significant strides in the global energy market, with three cargoes of jet fuel—totaling approximately 130 million liters—set for export to Saudi Arabia. This expansion follows recent shipments to the United States, where the refinery exported over two million barrels of jet fuel in March, solidifying its position as a key player in international fuel trade.
According to ship-tracking data from Kpler, six vessels carrying around 1.7 million barrels of jet fuel from the Dangote Refinery have already arrived at U.S. ports this month. Additionally, the Hafnia Andromeda is scheduled to dock at the Everglades terminal on March 29 with approximately 348,000 barrels of jet fuel.
With a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the Dangote Refinery—the largest in Africa—is positioning itself as a major exporter of refined petroleum products. Analysts attribute its successful entry into the U.S. and Saudi markets to the high quality of its products and increasing confidence among international buyers in Nigerian fuel exports.
“This is a remarkable achievement for Nigeria,” said Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE). “The ability of Dangote Refinery to meet the stringent quality standards of major international markets like the U.S. and Saudi Arabia underscores its world-class operations.”
Dangote’s expansion into the U.S. market coincided with maintenance-related shutdowns at key refineries, such as the Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery in New Jersey. Experts believe that the influx of jet fuel from Nigeria could influence fuel prices in the U.S., particularly as the country heads into its peak summer travel season.
“The surge in supply from Nigeria is expected to drive down jet fuel prices in the U.S. March imports of jet fuel into the U.S. have averaged around 226,000 barrels per day, marking the highest import levels since February 2023,” noted Steven Barsamian, Chief Operating Officer of TankTiger, a U.S.-based storage brokerage firm.
Beyond its impact on international fuel markets, the refinery’s operations are reshaping Nigeria’s economic landscape. Public policy expert Abimbola Oyarinu pointed out that if Nigeria had expanded its refining capacity earlier, it could have mitigated many economic challenges, including inflation and unemployment.
“This is the kind of initiative Nigeria should have pursued a decade ago,” Oyarinu stated. “Rather than exporting crude oil and importing refined products, we should have prioritized domestic refining. Now, Dangote is not only saving the country foreign exchange but also generating revenue through exports.”
Despite its impressive achievements, the refinery faces regulatory and operational challenges that could impact its long-term success. Oyarinu cautioned that Nigeria must create a more business-friendly environment to encourage future investments in the sector.
“While Dangote Refinery is a game-changer, it is crucial to establish policies that foster a more conducive business climate,” he added. “If this refinery can thrive despite regulatory hurdles, imagine what Nigeria could accomplish with a more supportive policy framework.”
With its growing influence in global markets, Dangote Refinery is not only transforming Nigeria’s energy sector but also reshaping the country’s role in the international fuel trade. As the refinery continues its expansion, its success could serve as a model for further industrial development in Nigeria and across Africa.
