Egypt, Africa’s leading country in refining capacity, continues to dominate the continent’s export of refined petroleum products, contributing significantly to its GDP.
According to a recent report, Egypt’s refineries generated approximately $7 billion in 2024 alone, bolstering the country’s foreign exchange inflow.
Egypt exported several key refined petroleum products during the fiscal year 2023/24.
According to the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), Egypt exported a diverse range of refined petroleum products during the period, with vacuum distillates emerging as the most prominent.
Jet fuel and paraffinic naphtha were also among the major products exported.
While specific export volumes for gas oil and slack wax were not disclosed, both products remain integral to Egypt’s petroleum trade, supported by steady industrial demand and historical export patterns.
5. Slack Wax
Slack wax, a semi-solid by-product from the production of lubricating oils, ranked fifth in Egypt’s export portfolio.
Composed of paraffin wax and oil (typically 5–30% oil content), slack wax is widely used in the manufacture of candles, matches, rubber goods, polishes, and as feedstock for fully refined waxes.
Produced through solvent dewaxing, slack wax has been drawing increasing demand in Asia and Eastern Europe for its cost-effectiveness and versatility.
Egypt exports both light and heavy varieties, offering flexibility in composition and quality to suit a range of industrial applications.
4. Gas Oil
Although specific export volumes for gas oil in FY 2023/24 were not disclosed by the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), the product continues to play a critical role in Egypt’s petroleum trade.
Gas oil—commonly referred to as diesel—is essential for off-road vehicles, generators, industrial machinery, marine transport, and agricultural operations.
Despite a global shift toward cleaner energy, gas oil remains vital in regions with limited access to grid electricity or advanced logistics infrastructure.
Egypt continues to serve nearby markets where the demand for industrial fuels remains strong.
3. Paraffinic Naphtha
Moreover, Paraffinic naphtha was Egypt’s third-largest refined product export by volume.
This light hydrocarbon liquid is primarily used as a feedstock in steam crackers to produce key petrochemical components like ethylene and propylene—critical for plastics and synthetic materials.
Secondary applications include gasoline blending and industrial solvents.
Egypt’s naphtha is primarily exported to petrochemical-intensive economies in Asia and parts of Europe, reinforcing the country’s role in the global industrial supply chain.
2. Jet Fuel
In addition, jet fuel was the second most exported refined product by volume, and likely the most valuable in terms of revenue.
It is used in gas turbine engine aircraft and benefits from consistent regional demand, driven by growing commercial aviation in the Middle East and North Africa.
Egypt’s strategic location near key air corridors allows it to serve a wide network of airlines and cargo operators.
Its ability to produce internationally graded jet fuel makes it a preferred supplier for neighboring countries with limited refining capacity.
1. Vacuum Distillates
Lastly, Vacuum distillates topped Egypt’s refined product exports in FY 2023/24.
These intermediate products are derived through vacuum distillation, a process used to separate high-boiling-point hydrocarbons under reduced pressure.
While Egypt’s domestic refining infrastructure does not fully convert vacuum distillates into end products, countries in Europe and Asia import them for further processing into lubricants, diesel, and specialty fuels.
The strong export performance of vacuum distillates reflects both rising international demand and Egypt’s positioning as a supplier of intermediary feedstocks.
Egypt’s refining role and outlook
The composition of Egypt’s top exports reveals a careful balance between supplying intermediates and delivering high-value finished products.
While the prominence of vacuum distillates and slack wax points to certain limitations in refining capacity, products like jet fuel and gas oil highlight the country’s growing capabilities.
With major upgrades underway at refineries such as MIDOR and Assiut, Egypt is expected to transition toward producing more finished, higher-margin products.
For now, its exports remain vital to fueling industries and economies across the region—and beyond.
