KEY POINTS
- Nigeria became a net petrol exporter for the first time, driven by output from the Dangote refinery.
- Petrol imports fell to record lows as local refining capacity surged.
- The shift is expected to boost foreign exchange earnings and reposition Nigeria in global fuel markets.
Nigeria has recorded a major milestone in its energy sector as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals pushed the country into becoming a net exporter of petrol for the first time in its history.
In March 2026, the refinery exported about 44,000 barrels per day of petrol, surpassing domestic imports and creating a surplus of roughly 3,000 barrels daily. This marks a significant turnaround for a nation that has long depended on imported refined fuel despite being Africa’s largest crude oil producer.
End of Decades-Long Import Dependence
For years, Nigeria exported crude oil while relying heavily on imported petrol due to inadequate refining capacity. This structural imbalance drained foreign exchange and left the country vulnerable to global supply shocks.
However, that trend is now reversing. With the Dangote refinery ramping up production, petrol imports dropped sharply to about 41,000 barrels per day in March, its lowest level on record, according to market intelligence firm Kpler.
Business mogul Aliko Dangote attributed the breakthrough to reforms under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which helped restore investor confidence in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The 650,000-barrel-per-day facility—the largest single-train refinery in the world—processed approximately 565,000 barrels per day of crude in March, nearing peak operational capacity.
