Speaking at an energy conference in Lagos, the managing director of the Dangote Refinery, David Bird, said the facility has begun exporting refined products—including jet fuel, diesel, and petrol—after ramping up production to meet local demand.
According to him, the refinery is now supplying fuel beyond Nigeria, with exports reaching at least 11 African countries since the onset of the Middle East crisis in late February. He noted that the company’s strategy is to prioritise African markets while gradually expanding its global reach.
“We’re proud to have done a direct delivery to Ethiopian Airlines, and we will continue to export surplus production to neighbouring African countries,” Bird said.
The refinery, regarded as the largest in Africa, is currently operating at full capacity following earlier maintenance. This has positioned it to respond to rising global demand for aviation fuel, especially at a time when supply shortages are affecting several regions.
With global oil prices hovering around $112 per barrel, aviation fuel costs have surged. Bird stressed that availability—not just pricing—is now the bigger concern for many countries.
“What is worse than $100 or $120 oil is no oil at all,” he said, pointing to shortages in import-dependent nations like Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.
Despite global supply pressures, Bird maintained that Nigeria’s domestic fuel situation remains stable, largely due to increased local refining capacity driven by investments from Aliko Dangote.
Industry data suggests the refinery is also benefiting from strong export margins, particularly in jet fuel. European buyers, facing peak travel demand, have turned to Nigerian supplies, with imports reportedly reaching between 78,000 and 96,000 barrels per day in April.
While European refiners earn an estimated $15 per barrel, analysts say margins at the Dangote facility are significantly higher, thanks to its scale and access to relatively cheaper crude.
An executive at the refinery, Devakumar Edwin, revealed that the plant produces about 24 million litres of jet fuel daily. A large portion is exported, though local airlines—whose demand stands at roughly 2.1 million litres per day—are also supplied.
Still, rising fuel prices are putting pressure on Nigeria’s aviation sector, with airlines warning of possible disruptions as operating costs climb.
The refinery sources crude from a mix of international and regional suppliers, including the United States, Brazil, and other African producers. Originally built to make Nigeria self-sufficient in refined petroleum products, it is now emerging as a major player in global fuel markets, reshaping supply dynamics across Africa and beyond.
