Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has stepped up exports of gasoline and urea to several African countries as supply pressures linked to the Iran war continue to unsettle energy markets across the continent. Reuters reported that the refinery’s owner, Aliko Dangote, said the facility is increasing shipments to help ease shortages in affected markets.
The refinery, which is operating at its full 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity, has already shipped 17 cargoes of gasoline and redirected more urea volumes toward African buyers in recent weeks. The move is aimed at supporting countries in West, Central, and East Africa that have been hit by disruptions in fuel and fertilizer supplies.
Despite the rise in exports, pressure remains at home. High crude prices have continued to push fuel costs upward in Nigeria, even as the refinery boosts output. Reuters also reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company increased crude allocations to Dangote for May from five cargoes to seven, though that still falls short of the refinery’s full monthly requirement of 13 to 15 cargoes.
The broader backdrop is a surge in fuel prices across parts of Africa, with several countries already announcing pump price increases because of the supply shock. That wider disruption has raised fresh concerns about inflation, transport costs, and energy security across the region.
For Nigeria, Dangote’s increased export drive reinforces the refinery’s growing regional role, but it also highlights the delicate balance between serving African markets and managing domestic price pressures at a time of global uncertainty.
Credit: Reuters.
