Dangote Refinery Exports 434 Million Litres of Petrol in March as Nigeria Becomes Net Fuel Exporter

Nigeria’s oil sector recorded a major turning point in March 2026 as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported about 434 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), signaling a growing shift from import dependence to export strength. The figures, obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), highlight how the refinery is reshaping the country’s downstream petroleum landscape.

According to the data, the refinery produced a total of 1.49 billion litres of petrol during the month, averaging about 48.2 million litres per day. Of this, 1.06 billion litres were supplied to the domestic market, while the surplus—about 434 million litres—was exported to international buyers, underscoring its expanding role beyond Nigeria.

The report shows that the facility operated at an impressive 93.62 per cent capacity utilisation, reinforcing its position as Nigeria’s dominant fuel supplier. With rising output and strong crude intake, the refinery is increasingly meeting local demand while also serving external markets, including its first gasoline shipment to East Africa.

Industry data also revealed a sharp decline in petrol imports into Nigeria, dropping to a record low of 41,000 barrels per day in March. This shift, combined with increased production from the Dangote facility, enabled Nigeria to record a net export position in gasoline for the first time—an important milestone for the country’s energy sector.

While the Dangote Refinery continues to scale up output, state-owned refineries remained largely inactive during the period, with only minimal contributions from modular operators. Analysts say the development marks a historic restructuring of Nigeria’s downstream oil industry, though they caution that sustained crude supply and stronger infrastructure will be key to maintaining long-term gains.

source: punch