Nigeria imported an average of 78,000 barrels of petrol per day between April and August, even as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported some of its gasoline production to other markets, highlighting the complex balance between domestic fuel demand and regional trade.
The figures, contained in a report by energy market intelligence firm Argus Media, showed that Nigeria’s average daily petrol consumption stood at 279,000 barrels during the five-month period, exceeding the refinery’s average output of 258,000 barrels per day.
Despite the production shortfall, the country continued to import petrol while the refinery shipped some of its output abroad when trading opportunities in regional markets were favourable.
The development comes as Dangote Refinery expands its presence in the West African petroleum market, with deliveries of refined products to countries across the region reaching a record 172,000 barrels per day in September.
The volume surpassed the previous record of 152,000 barrels per day recorded in August, according to shipping data cited in the report.
The September deliveries covered markets stretching from Senegal to Angola, reinforcing the refinery’s growing role in supplying petroleum products across West Africa.
Petrol accounted for 62,000 barrels per day of the September shipments, while diesel and gasoil deliveries totalled 57,000 barrels per day. Jet fuel accounted for another 36,000 barrels per day, with other refined petroleum products contributing 17,000 barrels per day.
However, West Africa continued to depend on external suppliers to meet part of its fuel requirements.
The region imported 516,000 barrels per day of refined petroleum products from outside its markets in September, representing the second-lowest monthly volume since the end of 2017.
Supplies from the European Union, the United Kingdom and Norway declined to a five-month low of 282,000 barrels per day during the month.
The refinery’s expanding export capacity coincided with an increase in crude oil deliveries to its Lekki facility. Crude receipts averaged a record 665,000 barrels per day in September, surpassing the previous high of 660,000 barrels per day recorded in June.
Beyond petrol, the refinery recorded significant production surpluses in diesel and aviation fuel, creating opportunities to supply overseas markets.
Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority showed that Dangote Refinery’s diesel production averaged 130,000 barrels per day between April and August, compared with domestic consumption of 98,000 barrels per day.
This represented an average surplus of 32,000 barrels per day.
The difference was even wider in the aviation fuel market, where jet fuel production averaged 136,000 barrels per day against domestic consumption of 16,000 barrels per day.
The figures indicated that production of both products exceeded local demand during the period, allowing the refinery to explore export opportunities.
Petrol, however, presented a different picture, as domestic consumption remained higher than the refinery’s average output.
The report explained that imports supplemented local supply while favourable regional market conditions created opportunities for Dangote to export some of its gasoline production.
The simultaneous movement of imported petrol into Nigeria and refined products out of the country underscores the importance of domestic demand, production levels and market conditions in determining fuel distribution.
Although the refinery has increased its contribution to Nigeria’s petroleum supply and expanded exports across West Africa, the figures show that domestic petrol demand remained above its average output between April and August.
The development also highlights the growing importance of local refining to regional fuel trade, even as Nigeria continues to rely partly on imported petrol to meet its consumption needs.
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