Dangote Petroleum Refinery has overtaken the United States as Europe’s largest supplier of imported jet fuel for the second consecutive month, strengthening Nigeria’s position in the international refined petroleum products market.
The refinery said more than 400,000 tonnes of jet fuel produced at its Lekki facility were delivered to Europe in July, accounting for about 20 per cent of the continent’s total jet fuel imports during the month.
The latest performance follows a record 466,000 tonnes of jet fuel exported to Europe in June, when Dangote first displaced the US as Europe’s leading supplier of imported aviation fuel.
According to the refinery, Europe imported approximately 2.06 million tonnes of jet fuel in July, with Dangote accounting for the largest individual share, ahead of suppliers from the US and the Middle East.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has strengthened its position as a global supplier of premium aviation fuel after emerging as Europe’s largest jet fuel supplier for the second consecutive month, overtaking the United States and underscoring the refinery’s growing influence on international energy markets,” the refinery said.
Dangote attributed the sustained export performance to its production capacity, strategic location on Nigeria’s Atlantic coast and access to an export terminal capable of supplying international markets. The refinery said its aviation fuel meets stringent international quality specifications required by the European market.
Production and export volumes have also continued to rise. The refinery said jet fuel loadings at its Lekki export terminal reached a record 550,000 tonnes in June, while crude deliveries increased to an all-time high of 660,000 barrels per day, providing additional feedstock for refined-product production.
The refinery said disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and wider geopolitical developments have also encouraged European buyers to diversify their sources of supply, creating additional opportunities for alternative suppliers.
“Although Europe received limited volumes of jet fuel from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Oman in July, market disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and evolving geopolitical dynamics have encouraged buyers to diversify supply sources,” it said.
David Bird, chief executive officer of Dangote Refinery, said the company has also expanded exports of diesel, petrol and other refined petroleum products to markets across Europe, Africa and other regions.
Bird said the growing export volumes were reinforcing Nigeria’s emergence as a net exporter of higher-value refined petroleum products, marking a significant shift from the country’s long-standing dependence on imported refined fuels.