Dangote to export maiden petrol cargo out of Africa

Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery is preparing to export its first petrol shipment outside the West African region, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion into the global fuel market.

A source familiar with the transaction told Reuters that leading commodity trader Mercuria is scheduled to load a 90,000 metric tonne cargo of petrol from the 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery on 22 June. The shipment is reportedly headed for Asia.

Until now, all petrol exports from the refinery, since it began exporting last year, have been confined to West African countries. This move signals Dangote’s growing ambition to play a major role in international fuel supply.

The company has previously delivered petrol to markets such as Cameroon, Ghana, Angola, and South Africa, offering an alternative to European imports for those nations.

“We sell our products to those who are willing to offer the highest price. It is the buyer’s prerogative to decide where the cargo goes,” a spokesperson for the Dangote refinery said.

Mercuria has yet to comment on the development.

Industry observers say the planned shipment reflects increasing operational stability and global confidence in the refinery’s output.

“This development underlines the Dangote refinery’s rising relevance as a global supplier of petrol, and the company’s belief that it can now reliably meet Nigeria’s domestic demand while serving overseas markets,” said Clementine Wallop, director at political risk consultancy Horizon Engage.