Nigeria’s Dangote refinery is preparing to export its first-ever petrol cargo to the Asian market, according to a source familiar with the development.
People familiar with the told Reuters that a 90,000 metric ton cargo of petrol will be departing the Nigerian refinery for Asia, with Mercuria scheduled to load the shipment on Sunday, June 22.
While efforts to reach Mercuria for a comment on the transaction failed, a spokesperson for Dangote Refinery confirmed the company’s move stating; “We sell our products to those who are willing to give us the highest price. It’s the buyer’s right to take the products to any destination of their choice.”
Industry observers view the export to Asia as a major milestone for the $20 billion mega-facility, highlighting its readiness to compete in international markets.
“This development shows the Dangote refinery’s growing global importance as a gasoline supplier, and the company’s confidence that production is now stable enough to meet Nigeria’s domestic needs,” said Clementine Wallop, director at political risk consultancy Horizon Engage.
Background: scaling beyond Africa
At full capacity, the 650,000 b/d Dangote Refinery is capable of producing nearly 90 million litres of petrol daily.
That is more than sufficient to meet Nigeria’s estimated 50 million litre-per-day demand, creating a surplus for export.
However, according to government data, the refinery accounted for only 41% of Nigeria’s total fuel consumption in March 2025, indicating perhaps that it was still ramping up operations.
Since commencing exports last year, Dangote’s petrol cargoes have primarily served African markets. Cameroon received the first shipment.
By December 2024, the refinery had already supplied fuel to Ghana, Angola, South Africa, and other nations, reshaping regional fuel supply dynamics and reducing dependence on European imports.
“The refinery is not just a domestic win for Nigeria [alone]; it’s a shift in the global refining landscape,” said Farai Ronoledi, a trader familiar with European petroleum markets.
Although the final destination of the Asian-bound cargo has not been disclosed, industry analysts have linked the move to a Japanese delegation’s visit to the refinery earlier this year.
Expanding global reach: beyond just petrol
While fuel was initially the core focus, the Dangote Refinery has expanded into aviation fuel, achieving several high-profile breakthroughs in recent months.
In February 2025, the company exported two shipments of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco, marking its entry into the Middle Eastern market.
“We are already reaching the ambitious goals we set for ourselves, and we are pleased to announce that we have just sold two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco,” Dangote said at the time.
In March, the refinery became a notable supplier to the U.S. aviation market, contributing to a spike in U.S. jet fuel imports— the highest recorded since February 2023.
Even earlier, in November 2024, jet fuel from Dangote had penetrated the European market, supplying key airports in Iceland, Tenerife, and London.
The planned shipment to Asia marks a new chapter for the refinery, whose owners recently partnered with Vinmar Group to also export polypropylene from its newly commissioned $2 billion petrochemical plant in Lagos.
