Dangote Refinery Increases Fuel Exports to Europe and Middle East

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is beginning to make its mark on the global energy market, as the plant in Lekki, Lagos, continues to expand its fuel exports to Europe and the Middle East. 

The refinery, which is Africa’s largest with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has shipped growing volumes of petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel in recent months.

This surge comes at a time when several major refineries in Europe and the Gulf region are temporarily shutting down for maintenance, creating supply gaps that new players like Dangote are stepping in to fill.

Why global refineries are shutting down

Countries in the Middle East are currently facing an unusually heavy refinery turnaround season. Facilities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and elsewhere have gone offline, reducing local production and forcing buyers to import more fuel. 

For instance, Saudi Aramco has had to shut down plants in Jubail and Jizan, while Kuwait’s Mina Abdullah facility is scheduled for maintenance later this year.

Europe, too, has seen a tightening of supply as scheduled maintenance overlaps with higher demand. At the same time, India is keeping more of its production for local use, further reducing export options for buyers.

Middle East turns to imports

Industry trackers show that gasoline imports into the Gulf region climbed sharply in mid-2025. 

Saudi Arabia, for example, nearly tripled its gasoline imports between June and July, while the United Arab Emirates recorded a jump of over 200,000 tonnes in August. 

With demand soaring and supply falling, the market has opened its doors to new suppliers, and Dangote Refinery has quickly moved in.

Nigeria steps into the gap

Between June and July, Dangote Refinery reportedly shipped multiple long-range cargoes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Jet A1 fuel abroad. These exports are helping to position Nigeria as a net exporter of refined petroleum products for the first time in decades.

Earlier this year, the refinery secured a landmark deal by supplying jet fuel directly to Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company. 

Aliko Dangote himself confirmed that the plant exported about 1 million tonnes of PMS in just two months, describing it as proof that Nigeria is now capable of playing in the big league of global energy suppliers.

Market conditions boost Dangote’s advantage

Global sanctions have also added to the opportunity. With restrictions on India’s Nayara Energy disrupting gasoline flows, the Middle East has fewer supply options, which has strengthened demand for alternative exporters. 

Premiums on gasoline cargoes have risen as a result, making Dangote’s supplies not only timely but also highly competitive in the international market.

Nigeria’s arrival on the global stage

Despite reports of technical hurdles, the refinery is pressing ahead with its expansion goals and is targeting a production capacity of 700,000 barrels per day by December 2025. 

Analysts believe this growth will help stabilize global fuel supplies while boosting Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.

Speaking on the refinery’s progress, Aliko Dangote said:

“We are reaching the ambitious goals we set for ourselves. I’m pleased to announce that we’ve just sold two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco.”

With European and Middle Eastern refineries offline and demand showing no sign of slowing, the world is increasingly looking to Lagos. The Dangote Refinery’s growing presence signals not only a shift in Nigeria’s energy fortunes but also a new chapter in global oil trade, one where Africa’s largest refinery is set to play a central role.