Nigeria Turns Petrol Net Exporter Thanks to Dangote Refinery

By Ifeyinwa Ike

Nigeria has achieved a historic first by becoming a net petrol exporter in March 2026, fueled by Dangote Refinery’s output.

The 650,000 bpd facility exported 44,000 bpd, creating a 3,000 bpd surplus and slashing imports to a record-low 41,000 bpd, per Kpler data. This ends decades of heavy reliance on foreign refined products.

Exports expanded regionally, with a 317,000-barrel shipment to Mozambique, the first to East Africa and another due in Beira this April amid demand for non-Middle Eastern supplies.

Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote had predicted this shift last September, promising an end to fuel queues plaguing Nigeria since 1975.