Aliko Dangote’s mega refinery ends Nigeria’s era as Africa’s top fuel importer

Key Points

• Dangote Petroleum Refinery slashed Nigeria’s fuel imports, ending its decade-long status as Africa’s top fuel importer. 
• Nigeria’s imports dropped to 3.1 million tons in Q1 2025 as Dangote’s refinery ramped to 500,000 barrels/day, cutting petrol prices by over 13% this year.
• South Africa’s refinery shutdowns boosted its fuel imports; Dangote plans $30 billion revenue by 2026, expanding refined fuel exports across Africa.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest and owned by the continent’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has dramatically cut Nigeria’s fuel imports, ending the country’s long-standing position as Africa’s top fuel importer. With Nigeria stepping back, South Africa has taken the lead, shifting trade patterns across sub-Saharan Africa.

For years, Nigeria was the biggest buyer of fuel on the continent despite being a major crude oil producer. That changed quickly as Dangote’s refinery began ramping up production. The $20 billion refinery, the largest in Africa and the world’s biggest single-train facility, has reduced Nigeria’s need for imported petrol. This has reshaped regional fuel trade, allowing South Africa to become the largest refined fuel importer in Africa for the first time in over a decade.

South Africa’s imports rise as Nigeria’s fall

New figures from energy consultancy CITAC show Nigeria imported only 3.1 million tons of refined fuel in the first quarter of 2025, a sharp drop from previous years. Meanwhile, South Africa brought in 4.2 million tons, largely because several local refineries have shut down or faced operational problems.

“Elitsa Georgieva, CITAC’s executive director, explains, “Nigeria’s imports are down because Dangote’s refinery is running continuously. Since the start of this year, South Africa has consistently been the biggest importer in sub-Saharan Africa.”

South Africa’s growing dependence reflects refinery closures like Sapref, the country’s largest refinery, which was shut in 2022. Although the government took ownership in 2023, the plant has not restarted operations.

How Dangote’s refinery is changing things

Dangote’s refinery, located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, started operations in 2024 and reached 500,000 barrels per day by January 2025. It’s expected to reach full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day by mid-2025.

In March, the refinery exported 2 million barrels of jet fuel to the U.S. and brought in crude oil from Saudi Arabia to adjust its production process. To keep up the pace, it has also received 146,000 metric tons of international crude oil. The impact is already clear for Nigerian consumers: petrol prices at depots fell by 7.3 percent early this year, totaling a 13.16 percent drop in prices for 2025 so far.

Looking ahead: a new chapter for African energy

Dangote’s achievement reflects a broader goal across Africa to reduce reliance on imported refined fuels. Similar refinery projects are underway in countries like Uganda, Angola, and Mozambique. However, Dangote’s refinery took years to complete, facing delays and budget challenges along the way.

With a personal fortune of $27.6 billion, Aliko Dangote plans to grow his group’s revenue to $30 billion by 2026 by expanding exports of refined fuels, petrochemicals, and fertilizers. His refinery is now a cornerstone in Africa’s effort to gain more control over its energy future.