Dangote Refinery said it has begun exporting fuel to several African countries as rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East reshape supply flows.
The refinery, owned by billionaire Aliko Dangote, said it sold 12 cargoes totaling about 456,000 tonnes to countries including Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana and Togo.
The move comes as a three-week conflict in the Middle East disrupts oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global transit route, forcing countries to manage the impact of rising energy costs.
Located near Lagos, the refinery has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day and is designed to meet — and exceed — Nigeria’s domestic fuel demand, the company said in a statement. It added that exports to other African markets are expected to strengthen energy security across West, East and Central Africa.
A company spokesperson said demand for fuel has increased significantly due to the conflict, with inquiries also coming from outside the continent, particularly for jet fuel.
In Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, petrol prices have surged in recent weeks, rising from about 830 naira per litre in Lagos to more than 1,300 naira.
At the start of the conflict, Dangote had pledged to prioritize domestic supply to prevent shortages and cushion the impact of price increases.
Before the refinery began operations in 2024, Nigeria relied heavily on fuel imports and frequently faced supply shortages.