Nigeria’s petroleum product exports have reached a record level, with seaborne shipments surging seven-fold since 2023 as the Dangote Refinery reshapes the country’s position in the international fuel market. New data from Vortexa Analytics shows that Nigeria is not only exporting more refined petroleum products but is also becoming less dependent on imports.
Seaborne petroleum product shipments averaged 561,000 barrels per day (b/d) in the second quarter of 2026, compared with an annual average of just 79,000 b/d in 2023. The sharp increase has been largely linked to the commissioning of the Dangote Refinery in January 2024, which has significantly expanded Nigeria’s refining capacity and changed the flow of petroleum products in and out of the country.
The impact is also being felt locally. Intra-Nigerian petroleum product shipments climbed to 211,000 b/d in Q2 2026, up from 81,000 b/d in 2025 and 33,000 b/d in 2023. At the same time, seaborne imports dropped to below 130,000 b/d in Q2 2026, compared with nearly 400,000 b/d in 2023, signalling a major shift toward greater domestic supply of refined products.
Nigeria’s growing exports are also strengthening its presence in international markets. Petroleum product shipments to Europe averaged 130,000 b/d in Q2 2026, rising from 40,000 b/d in 2025 and just 15,000 b/d in 2023. Exports to other African countries also increased, reaching nearly 120,000 b/d during the quarter. The refinery’s maintenance and expansion completed in February 2026 further boosted its crude distillation capacity from 650,000 b/d to 700,000 b/d.
With the Dangote Group now planning to add a second 750,000-b/d crude oil distillation unit by 2028, Nigeria’s refining and export story could be entering an even bigger phase. If the expansion plans are completed, the country could further reduce its dependence on imported refined products while strengthening its role as a major supplier to markets across Africa and beyond.
source: leadership
