In a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s oil sector, the Dangote Refinery has commenced international exports of petrol, marking a new chapter in Africa’s energy trade. According to billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, the refinery exported approximately 1 million tonnes of petrol between June and July 2025, highlighting its rapidly growing operational scale.
This milestone reinforces the refinery’s strategic importance, not just for domestic energy sufficiency but also for enhancing Nigeria’s influence in global fuel markets. Experts say the exports will ease reliance on imported refined products across several African nations and strengthen the continent’s energy autonomy.
Located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the $20 billion facility is Africa’s largest oil refinery, and its capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day positions Nigeria as a serious contender in refined petroleum exports.
Industry observers are calling this development transformative—suggesting it could significantly improve Nigeria’s balance of trade, create jobs, and set new standards for industrial self-reliance across West Africa and beyond.
