Dangote Refinery has started exporting refined fuel to West Africa, signalling a shift in regional fuel markets with expanded operations.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced exporting refined petroleum products to neighbouring West African nations, marking a significant step in its bid to influence regional fuel markets.
According to data cited by Bloomberg on Tuesday from Vortexa, Kpler, and other sources, a tanker recently transported over 300,000 barrels of gasoline from the refinery to waters off Togo.
Also read: Petrol imports surge in Nigeria despite Dangote refinery operations
The tanker, CL Jane Austen, loaded the shipment at the refinery before heading west, raising expectations of more widespread regional exports in the near future.
This development aligns with recent remarks by Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Chairman of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
At the OTL Africa Downstream Oil Conference in Lagos, he emphasised Ghana’s interest in sourcing petroleum products from Dangote Refinery to reduce reliance on costly imports from Europe.
“Instead of importing from Rotterdam, it will be much easier for us to import from Nigeria. This will cut freight costs and potentially lower the prices of goods and services,” Abdul-Hamid noted. Ghana spends approximately $400 million monthly on petroleum imports from Europe.
The refinery, with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), is expected to exceed Nigeria’s domestic demand, opening doors for exports.
Reports indicate advanced negotiations with South Africa, Angola, and Namibia, alongside ongoing talks with Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic.
A source close to the matter confirmed that these discussions are progressing swiftly. “Talks with Ghana, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa are in advanced stages, while initial negotiations with Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic are underway.”
Though small compared to the global gasoline market, this initial shipment underscores the refinery’s ramping production and potential to significantly disrupt regional fuel trade.
The shipment, now floating near Lomé, Togo, could be redistributed via ship-to-ship transfers, a common practice in the region. The refinery also recently shipped its first seaborne gasoline cargo to Lagos, Nigeria.
The refinery’s expansion comes amid Nigeria’s decision to end the monopoly of its state-owned oil company on domestic fuel procurement.
Despite this, the importation of fuel from Europe and the US continues under regulatory provisions.
While Dangote’s spokesperson declined to comment, the refinery’s growing export footprint highlights its ambition to reshape the African fuel market, offering cheaper and more accessible alternatives for neighbouring countries.
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