Nigeria exports N105.5bn petrol to Togo as Dangote Refinery reshapes West Africa fuel trade dynamics
Nigeria’s export of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to Togo reached N105.5 billion in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting a major shift in West Africa’s refined fuel trade following Nigeria’s emergence as a net exporter of petroleum products.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics’ Foreign Trade Report, Togo also imported N278.36 billion worth of gas oil and N273.18 billion of kerosene-type jet fuel from Nigeria during the same period.
In addition, exports of partially refined petroleum products stood at N89.83 billion, while crude petroleum exports amounted to N220.14 billion.
The data underscores a rapid transformation in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, driven by increased domestic refining capacity, particularly from the Dangote Refinery.
The facility has enabled Nigeria to transition from a fuel-import-dependent economy to a net exporter of refined petroleum products across African markets.
This marks a sharp reversal from previous years, when Nigeria imported refined petroleum products from regional trading hubs, including Togo.
In 2023, imports of petroleum oils from Togo were estimated at around $117 million, followed by $72–77 million in 2024, reflecting the country’s earlier reliance on imported refined fuel.
Since the commissioning and ramp-up of the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria’s refined fuel exports have expanded significantly. Market data indicates that petrol exports reached approximately 44,000 barrels per day in March 2026, resulting in a net export surplus.
Export volumes have also grown rapidly, increasing from around 18,000 barrels per day in early operations to approximately 158,000 barrels per day by April 2026.
The refinery has also expanded Nigeria’s export reach beyond West Africa, including shipments to East African markets such as Mozambique, reflecting its growing role in regional energy supply chains.
However, the evolving trade flows have sparked debate over fuel distribution efficiency in West Africa.
Industry discussions suggest that a significant portion of Nigerian-refined products is routed through regional trading hubs such as Lomé before re-entering Nigeria’s supply chain via coastal distribution routes.
Some energy analysts argue that this reflects cost and logistics differences in regional fuel trading, particularly due to varying port charges and regulatory structures between Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Industry stakeholders note that offshore depots in locations such as Togo can offer lower handling costs compared to domestic loading points in Nigeria, contributing to complex fuel routing patterns across the region.
The Dangote Refinery has denied claims that Nigerian-produced fuel is being re-imported into the country, describing such assertions as inaccurate and misleading.
The company maintains that its operations are focused on improving domestic supply security and expanding export capacity across Africa.
Despite the controversy, Nigeria’s growing refined fuel exports highlight a broader structural shift in West Africa’s energy market.
The combination of new refining capacity and changing trade logistics is reshaping regional fuel flows, with Togo emerging as one of the key downstream trading partners in Nigeria’s expanding petroleum export network.
