Rising output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, has enabled Nigeria to record a historic shift in its downstream petroleum trade in March, emerging as a net exporter of gasoline for the first time, according to data from market intelligence firm Kpler on Monday.
It showed that gasoline imports into the country dropped sharply to 41,000 barrels per day (b/d) during the month, the lowest level on record.
Besides, crude supply to the Dangote facility rose to about 565,000 b/d, the second-highest intake since the 650,000 b/d refinery commenced operations in late 2023, indicating strong processing rates and increased product yield, the data said.
According to the data, total gasoline exports from the refinery rose to 44,000 b/d in March, compared to no exports recorded in January and February.
This shift enabled Nigeria to post a net export position of approximately 3,000 b/d for the month. Boosting its market reach, the Dangote Refinery exported gasoline to East Africa for the first time, shipping a 317,000-barrel cargo to Mozambique.
