The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced exporting refined petroleum products to neighbouring West African countries, indicating its potential to transform regional fuel markets significantly.
A Bloomberg report on Tuesday, citing data from Vortexa, Kpler, Precise Intelligence, a port report, and a ship-tracking platform, revealed that a tanker recently transported gasoline from the refinery to waters near Togo, a neighbouring country.
The report noted that the CL Jane Austen loaded over 300,000 barrels at Dangote and sailed west.
Last month, Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority chairman, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, stated that Ghana is considering purchasing petroleum products from the Dangote refinery to reduce reliance on expensive European imports, which cost the country approximately $400 million monthly.
Speaking at the OTL Africa Downstream Oil Conference in Lagos, Abdul-Hamid explained that sourcing fuel from Nigeria would lower freight costs and reduce the overall price of goods and services.
“If the refinery achieves its 650,000 bpd capacity, Nigeria alone cannot consume all that volume. Instead of importing from Rotterdam, it will be easier and more cost-effective to import from Nigeria, ultimately reducing prices,” Abdul-Hamid said.
Additionally, the refinery is reportedly preparing to export fuel to South Africa, Angola, and Namibia. Discussions are also underway with Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic.
A credible source confirmed that the refinery’s management is in advanced negotiations with several countries to begin fuel exports. “Talks are at an advanced stage with Ghana, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa, while initial discussions are ongoing with Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic,” the source said.
The report noted that the shipment is currently off the coast of Lomé, a common area for ship-to-ship transfers, leaving the cargo’s final destination uncertain.
While the shipment represents a small fraction of the global gasoline market, it signals Dangote Refinery’s production ramp-up and its potential to export substantial volumes beyond Nigeria, potentially reshaping regional markets.
Last month, the refinery shipped its first seaborne gasoline cargo to Lagos. However, it remains uncertain how much of its gasoline output will be exported in the future.
The Federal Government recently ended the monopoly of the state-owned oil company on purchasing fuel from the refinery for domestic use while continuing to allow fuel imports from Europe and the US.
A Dangote spokesperson declined to comment on the developments, according to the report.
