⛽ Dangote Effect: Nigeria’s Petrol Imports From Malta Crash 60% in One Year
Nigeria’s fuel-import landscape is undergoing a massive shift — and the numbers say it all. Imports of refined petroleum products from Malta dropped by 60% in 2024, thanks largely to the rising output from the Dangote Refinery.
Here’s the full breakdown
What Exactly Happened?
A 60% Drop in Imports
• Nigeria imported about $818 million worth of petroleum products from Malta in 2024.
• This is a sharp fall from over $2.1 billion in 2023.
Why Malta? A Look Back
• From 2017–2022, Nigeria had almost no fuel imports from Malta.
• But in 2023, imports suddenly surged to $2.1 billion.
• Industry chatter linked this spike to:
• Blending plants allegedly operating in Malta
• Complex routing of fuel shipments
• Dangote’s claim that some NNPC staff and oil traders were involved in Malta blending operations
This raised questions about transparency and forex leakages.
The Dangote Refinery Factor
The 650,000 bpd Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train plant, has been the biggest game changer:
Increased Local Output
• Began producing diesel and aviation fuel early 2024
• Petrol (PMS) production followed shortly
• Result? Less pressure to import from Europe
National Import Bill Drops
• Nigeria’s petrol import bill fell 54% year-on-year in Q1 2025, thanks to Dangote’s growing supply.
• Seaborne imports of clean petroleum products declined 39% between Jan–July 2025 vs. the previous year.
Experts Weigh In
Jide Pratt (TradeGrid & COO AIONA):
“As domestic refining increases, importation becomes less urgent.”
But he also warns:
• When the refinery shuts down for maintenance, PMS production can fall from 70% to 30% capacity, creating temporary pressure on supply.
How This Strengthens Nigeria
✔ More local supply
✔ Reduced forex burden
✔ Lower dependence on Europe
✔ Movement toward becoming a net exporter of refined products — a status Nigeria hasn’t enjoyed in decades.
Crude Oil Loadings Also Fall
S&P Global data shows:
• Nigeria’s seaborne crude loadings averaged 1.676 million bpd in October 2025
• Lowest since April 2025
• Down for two consecutive months
• Peak for the year was June at 1.873 million bpd
This reflects fluctuating production but doesn’t negate progress in the downstream sector.
✨ Bottom Line
The sharp fall in Malta-origin petrol imports is not accidental.
It is a direct result of Nigeria refining more at home — led by the Dangote Refinery’s fast-growing output.
If momentum continues, Nigeria could be on its way to:
• Energy independence
• Reduced FX pressure
• Regional export leadership
Nigeria’s fuel-import landscape is undergoing a massive shift — and the numbers say it all. Imports of refined petroleum products from Malta dropped by 60% in 2024, thanks largely to the rising output from the Dangote Refinery.
Here’s the full breakdown
What Exactly Happened?
A 60% Drop in Imports
• Nigeria imported about $818 million worth of petroleum products from Malta in 2024.
• This is a sharp fall from over $2.1 billion in 2023.
Why Malta? A Look Back
• From 2017–2022, Nigeria had almost no fuel imports from Malta.
• But in 2023, imports suddenly surged to $2.1 billion.
• Industry chatter linked this spike to:
• Blending plants allegedly operating in Malta
• Complex routing of fuel shipments
• Dangote’s claim that some NNPC staff and oil traders were involved in Malta blending operations
This raised questions about transparency and forex leakages.
The Dangote Refinery Factor
The 650,000 bpd Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train plant, has been the biggest game changer:
Increased Local Output
• Began producing diesel and aviation fuel early 2024
• Petrol (PMS) production followed shortly
• Result? Less pressure to import from Europe
National Import Bill Drops
• Nigeria’s petrol import bill fell 54% year-on-year in Q1 2025, thanks to Dangote’s growing supply.
• Seaborne imports of clean petroleum products declined 39% between Jan–July 2025 vs. the previous year.
Experts Weigh In
Jide Pratt (TradeGrid & COO AIONA):
“As domestic refining increases, importation becomes less urgent.”
But he also warns:
• When the refinery shuts down for maintenance, PMS production can fall from 70% to 30% capacity, creating temporary pressure on supply.
How This Strengthens Nigeria
✔ More local supply
✔ Reduced forex burden
✔ Lower dependence on Europe
✔ Movement toward becoming a net exporter of refined products — a status Nigeria hasn’t enjoyed in decades.
Crude Oil Loadings Also Fall
S&P Global data shows:
• Nigeria’s seaborne crude loadings averaged 1.676 million bpd in October 2025
• Lowest since April 2025
• Down for two consecutive months
• Peak for the year was June at 1.873 million bpd
This reflects fluctuating production but doesn’t negate progress in the downstream sector.
✨ Bottom Line
The sharp fall in Malta-origin petrol imports is not accidental.
It is a direct result of Nigeria refining more at home — led by the Dangote Refinery’s fast-growing output.
If momentum continues, Nigeria could be on its way to:
• Energy independence
• Reduced FX pressure
• Regional export leadership