The Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird, stated that the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery possesses a substantial surplus of jet fuel, positioning it to supply global markets.
Bird made these remarks on Tuesday during a speech at the S&P Global Energy Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference held in London.
"We’re very grateful to be seen as a reliable, high-quality and dependable supplier able to land our product competitively all over the world," Reuters quoted Mr Bird as saying.
He explained that lower demand within Africa compared to other regions has created export opportunities for the refinery.
His comments come at a time when global energy markets are experiencing pressure due to tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which have heightened concerns over supply disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and contributed to volatility in fuel markets.
Jet fuel has been among the products significantly affected by these disruptions, with prices remaining elevated in many markets.
Mr Bird’s remarks also coincide with persistent concerns within Nigeria’s aviation industry regarding the rising cost of Jet A1 fuel.
In recent months, domestic airlines have reported increased pressure from surging aviation fuel prices, leading to warnings about potential operational disruptions.
Several operators, including Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, and Ibom Air, have voiced concerns about soaring Jet A1 prices, stating that the development has strained operations and disrupted schedules.
The situation prompted government intervention after airline operators warned that sustained increases in aviation fuel costs could threaten the survival of some carriers.
Despite these interventions, airlines continue to report operational difficulties linked to fuel costs, including delays, cancellations, and reduced flight frequencies.
However, the situation has also created opportunities for refiners outside the Gulf region, including Dangote Refinery, to expand exports to international markets.
Mr Bird indicated that the refinery is currently operating at full nameplate capacity and is planning a strategy to expand output.
"We will bring 700,000 barrels per day of fully complex refining capacity on stream by the end of 2028," he said, adding that long-lead equipment has already been procured while construction contracts are being awarded.
He added that the group could eventually increase refining capacity to 2.1 million bpd, supported by plans for another refinery in East Africa, positioning the company as a major player in global crude and refined product markets.
"Nigeria has gone from fuel scarcity to absolute fuel abundance since the Dangote refinery came online," Mr Bird stated.
According to Kpler data, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported an estimated 57 million barrels of jet fuel between April 2024 and April 2026.
The data showed exports rose from about 20,000 barrels per day in April 2024 to around 65,000 barrels per day by the end of that year, peaking at approximately 160,000 barrels per day during the review period.
These figures highlight the growing role of refined petroleum exports in Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly aviation fuel, as the country seeks to strengthen domestic refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported products.
