Dangote to export maiden petrol cargo out of Africa

Nigeria’s Dangote refinery is set to export a petrol cargo outside the West African region for the first time, marking a milestone in the company’s expanding global footprint.

A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that commodity trader Mercuria will load a 90,000 metric ton shipment of petrol from the 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery on June 22, with the cargo bound for Asia.

Since exporting petrol last year, the Dangote refinery has kept all cargoes within West Africa. This latest move signals the company’s ambition to become a significant player in the global fuel market.

Dangote had been exporting petrol to Cameroon, Ghana, Angola, and South Africa, helping reduce those countries’ reliance on European imports.

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“We sell our products to those who are willing to give us the highest price. It’s the buyer’s right to take the products to any destination of their choice,” a spokesperson for the Dangote refinery said.

Mercuria did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Analysts view the development as a sign of growing confidence in the refinery’s operations.

“This development shows the Dangote refinery’s growing global importance as a gasoline (petrol) supplier, and the company’s confidence that production is now stable enough to meet Nigeria’s domestic needs,” said Clementine Wallop, a political risk consultancy Horizon Engage director.