Dangote Refinery Exports 434m Litres Petrol in March

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported about 434 million litres of petrol in March 2026, after producing more than domestic demand, according to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The refinery produced 1.49 billion litres during the month, supplying 1.06 billion litres locally and exporting the surplus.

Operating at 93.62% capacity utilisation, Dangote remained Nigeria’s dominant supplier of refined products.

On average, the refinery produced 48.2 million litres per day, with 34.2 million litres supplied domestically. The exports mark a major shift in Nigeria’s downstream sector, which historically relied on imports.

A statement from the refinery noted: “Nigeria recorded a historic shift in its downstream petroleum trade in March, emerging as a net exporter of gasoline for the first time.”

Market data showed gasoline imports dropped to 41,000 barrels per day, the lowest on record, while crude supply to Dangote rose to 565,000 b/d, boosting output.

Exports reached 44,000 b/d, including a 317,000-barrel cargo to Mozambique, marking the refinery’s first shipment to East Africa.

Dangote also contributed significantly to diesel supply, producing 16.5 million litres per day, though only 2.2 million litres were supplied locally, with much of the output exported.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s state-owned refineries remained largely inactive. Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna facilities were shut, while modular refineries like Walter Smith, Edo, and Aradel supplied only 0.629 million litres per day of diesel.

Analysts say the refinery’s ramp-up is transforming Nigeria into a potential exporter of refined products, but stress that sustained crude supply, stronger distribution networks, and revival of state-owned refineries are needed to fully secure energy independence.