Dangote Refinery Begins Fuel Export, Set to Reshape Regional Markets ⚡

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Olori Uwem

Active Member
Mar 18, 2024
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Dangote Refinery Begins Fuel Export, Set to Reshape Regional Markets ⚡

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced the export of refined petroleum products to neighboring West African countries, signaling its potential to transform regional fuel markets.

A Bloomberg report on Tuesday, based on data from Vortexa, Kpler, Precise Intelligence, and a ship-tracking platform, revealed that a tanker, CL Jane Austen, transported over 300,000 barrels of gasoline from the Dangote Refinery to waters near Togo.

Key Highlights:

1. Strategic Exports Begin:
• The export to Togo marks a critical milestone for the Dangote Refinery, showcasing its growing production capacity.
• The shipment reflects the refinery’s ability to handle international demand.
2. Potential Impact on Regional Prices:
• Ghana is exploring imports from the refinery to reduce reliance on European exports, which cost the country $400 million monthly.
• Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority Chairman, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, noted that importing from Nigeria could lower freight costs and reduce the prices of other goods and services.
3. Expanded Reach Across Africa:
• Advanced negotiations are ongoing with Ghana, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa to begin fuel exports.
• Initial discussions are underway with Niger Republic, Chad, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic to expand supply chains further.
4. Regional Dynamics Shift:
• The refinery, with a 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity, could soon export volumes beyond Nigeria’s consumption needs, potentially disrupting fuel import patterns in Africa.
• A recent shipment is currently off the coast of Lome, Togo, an area frequently used for ship-to-ship transfers, indicating the potential for further distribution to other regions.
5. Domestic Fuel Supply:
• Last month, the Federal Government ended the monopoly of its state-owned oil company on buying fuel from the Dangote Refinery. This regulatory shift allows the refinery to cater to both domestic and international markets, boosting its operational flexibility.

What’s Next?

Although these exports are relatively small compared to global gasoline markets, they signify a ramp-up of Dangote Refinery’s operations. The refinery is poised to become a major player in meeting Africa’s fuel needs while challenging existing supply routes from Europe and the US.

The ongoing developments underscore the refinery’s capacity to reshape energy markets across the continent.