Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has expanded its global footprint with the successful export of two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest energy company.
Confirming the development, Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, told directors of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) during a tour of the refinery on Tuesday that the company was making steady progress in its expansion strategy.
According to him, “we are already attaining even the ambitious heights we set for ourselves, and we are delighted to let you know that we have just sold two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco.”
Saudi Aramco’s procurement of jet fuel from the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery highlights its growing global reach.
Analysts suggest that this latest deal is a testament to the quality and scale of the refinery’s output, positioning it as a key supplier in the international fuel market.
The transaction follows a series of export deals by Dangote Refinery, including last year’s sale of jet fuel to British Petroleum (BP).
In April 2024, S&P Global reported that BP had acquired its first jet fuel cargo from the refinery, marking the beginning of its integration into the global aviation fuel supply chain.
Dangote Refinery has rapidly ramped up production since its commissioning, with exports reaching multiple regions.
In early 2024, the refinery issued tenders for its first fuel exports, which included 65,000 metric tons of low-sulphur straight-run fuel oil, awarded to Trafigura, and 60,000 metric tons of naphtha, shipped to international buyers.
Singapore, Asia’s key oil hub, also received its first low-sulphur straight-run fuel oil cargo from Dangote Refinery last year, signaling the refinery’s growing role in global energy trade.
Industry experts say Dangote Refinery is reshaping fuel trade flows in West Africa and beyond. S&P Global previously noted that “the European shipment demonstrates the growing reach of products from the 650,000 barrels a day Dangote refinery as it has rapidly ramped up operations and aims to shake up established West African trade flows.”
The refinery’s strategic positioning has allowed it to supply refined petroleum products to regions that have historically relied on imports from Europe and the Middle East.
With its latest jet fuel shipment to Saudi Aramco, Dangote Refinery has further cemented its place as a major global supplier.
Analysts suggest that continued expansion and export diversification will strengthen Nigeria’s position in the international energy market, reducing its dependency on imported refined products.
As Dangote Refinery continues to scale production and secure strategic supply deals, industry stakeholders will be watching closely to see how it impacts global energy trade and regional market dynamics.
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