Nigeria’s petrol imports have fallen to their lowest level in nearly eight years, thanks to increased production from the Dangote Refinery. Between January 1 and 24, 2025, the country imported about 110,000 barrels of petrol daily, a significant drop from previous years when imports often exceeded 200,000 barrels per day.
The Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa and Europe, has played a key role in this change. By boosting local fuel production, it has reduced Nigeria’s reliance on foreign suppliers and even affected European refineries that previously supplied the Nigerian market.
Samantha Hartke, an analyst at Vortexa, noted, “A large part of the slowdown in Nigeria’s gasoline imports is due to the ramp-up of the Dangote refinery. Northwest Europe will have to find alternative homes for its gasoline supplies.”
Although not operating at it’s full capacity, the Dangote Refinery is strengthening Nigeria’s energy independence by reducing the need for imported fuel.