US hails Dangote Refinery as Nigeria’s petroleum exports surge sevenfold
U.S. Report Highlights Surge in Nigeria’s Petroleum Exports, Attributed to Dangote Refinery
By Udeme Akpan, Energy Editor
Nigeria’s petroleum product exports have increased sevenfold since 2023, largely driven by the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, according to a recent report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The EIA noted that, in the second quarter of 2026, Nigeria’s seaborne petroleum shipments reached an average of 561,000 barrels per day (bpd), a substantial rise from the annual average of 79,000 bpd recorded in 2023.
“This growth has fortified Nigeria’s presence in the international petroleum market, particularly as supply constraints have emerged in various other regions,” the report stated. The surge in exports can be attributed primarily to the commencement of operations at the Dangote Refinery in January 2024.
Data from energy intelligence firm Vortexa revealed that approximately 350,000 bpd of the exported volume in the second quarter of 2026 was generated by the refinery, compared to an average of 46,000 bpd exported in 2023.
The EIA further explained that increased production from the Dangote facility has significantly altered Nigeria’s petroleum landscape by decreasing reliance on imports and enhancing domestic supply capabilities.
“With the rise in petroleum products supplied by the country’s largest refinery, import levels have fallen, export figures have increased, and Nigeria has moved closer to self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products,” the EIA stated.
Prior to the Dangote Refinery’s inception, Nigeria’s state-owned refineries collectively exported fewer than 100,000 bpd of petroleum products, both domestically and internationally. The EIA observed that shipments escalated following the refinery’s launch and gained momentum after maintenance and expansion activities were finalized in February 2026.
The expansion increased the refinery’s crude distillation capacity from 650,000 bpd to 700,000 bpd, facilitating higher output and improved product availability.
Total petroleum shipments continued to rise as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz heightened the demand for alternative sources of refined petroleum products. According to the report, intra-Nigerian shipments reached 211,000 bpd in the second quarter of 2026, up from 81,000 bpd in 2025 and 33,000 bpd in 2023, indicating the refinery’s growing role in local fuel distribution.
This production increase highlights the significant impact of the Dangote Refinery on Nigeria’s economy and its emerging status in the global petroleum market.
