Dangote Refinery exports hit 1.66bn litres in April 2026 as global fuel supply fears and Middle East tensions boost demand

Fresh data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has shown that Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals exported an estimated 1.66 billion litres of refined petroleum products in April 2026 amid rising global concerns over fuel supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.

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An analysis of the regulator’s April 2026 fact sheet showed that the refinery exported about 513 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, 534 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil, also called diesel, and 615 million litres of aviation fuel during the month under review.

The development followed growing uncertainty in the international oil market after the United States and Iran failed to reach a peace agreement, fuelling fears over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic oil shipping routes.

The Dangote refinery, located in Lekki, remains Nigeria’s only major operational refinery currently producing enough refined petroleum products for both local consumption and export.

Industry analysts described the export figures as a powerful milestone for Nigeria’s downstream sector, particularly as Europe, Africa and parts of Asia increasingly seek alternative fuel suppliers amid geopolitical instability.

According to the NMDPRA report, the combined export volume translated to an average of 55.4 million litres daily, marking the refinery’s highest monthly export performance so far, especially for diesel and aviation fuel.

The regulator stated that local refineries operated at an average capacity utilisation of 99.12 per cent in April, with the Dangote refinery accounting for the overwhelming majority of output.

The report noted that the facility achieved 100 per cent capacity utilisation for most days in April.

Findings also showed that domestic refineries received 18.37 million barrels of crude oil during the month, representing a significant increase from the 13.11 million barrels recorded in March.

Despite strong export activity, the refinery maintained substantial domestic supply obligations. Average daily petrol production stood at 53.6 million litres, with 40.7 million litres supplied locally and 17.1 million litres exported daily.

For diesel, average daily production reached 23.6 million litres, while exports accounted for 17.8 million litres per day, more than double the domestic supply volume of 8 million litres daily.

Aviation fuel exports also remained strong at 20.5 million litres daily, compared to local supply of 2.6 million litres per day.

The surge in aviation fuel exports came weeks after domestic airline operators raised concerns over the rising cost of aviation fuel and threatened operational shutdowns.

The Dangote Refinery Exports performance has further strengthened reports that Nigeria has become a net exporter of petrol for the first time in decades following increased output from the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility.

In March, the refinery reportedly exported about 434 million litres of petrol after local production exceeded domestic consumption.

The latest figures underscore Nigeria’s gradual transition from a major importer of refined petroleum products to a strategic export hub within Africa as global fuel trade patterns continue to shift.

The NMDPRA report further revealed that Nigerians consumed an average of 51.1 million litres of petrol daily in April, slightly above the regulator’s estimated benchmark of 50 million litres per day.

Diesel consumption stood at 17.3 million litres daily, while aviation fuel consumption averaged 2.5 million litres daily.

Despite increased local refining activity, petrol prices remained elevated nationwide.

The regulator attributed prevailing fuel prices partly to international crude oil costs, which averaged $120.55 per barrel in April, while gasoline prices reached $1,074.97 per metric tonne.

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The refinery is expected to play a central role in Nigeria’s energy security strategy and foreign exchange earnings as uncertainty continues to reshape global fuel markets.