Africa’s largest oil refinery, the Dangote Refinery, has cemented itself as a major player in the global aviation fuel market, with a reported 57 million barrels of jet fuel exported within the last two years.
- The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has exported 57 million barrels of jet fuel over the last two years, becoming a major global aviation fuel supplier.
- Refinery exports increased sharply after April 2024, responding to fluctuating demand and the global energy crisis.
- Exports peaked at around 160,000 barrels per day in April 2026, largely due to supply disruptions from the US-Iran conflict.
- Africa was the largest market, followed by Europe and the Americas, with rising sales to international carriers like Ethiopian Airlines.
Data provided by energy intelligence platform Kpler shows that the refinery’s export has risen significantly from April 2024 and April 2026, thanks in part to the global energy crisis currently plaguing the market.
Monthly exports fluctuated dramatically during the two years, indicating altering demand in Africa, Europe, and the Americas, as well as changing conditions in the global energy market.
Shipment figures of jet fuel from the Dangote Refinery
When exports began in April 2024, volumes were relatively low, around 20,000 barrels per day.
However, the refinery swiftly gained momentum, with shipments increasing to over 70,000 barrels per day the next month.
Although exports fluctuated between 50,000 and 65,000 barrels per day for much of 2024, the refinery gradually established itself as a major source of aviation fuel outside of Nigeria’s borders.
The real spike began between 2025 and 2026, the reports note, as seen on the Punch newspaper.
In July 2025, exports increased considerably to over 145,000 barrels per day, one of the refinery’s best results to date.
While volumes later decreased to about 145,000 barrels per day by August, shipments remained high for the rest of the year, indicating rising international demand for Dangote’s refined products.
Then, in April 2026, shipments reached their peak, averaging roughly 160,000 barrels per day.
The dramatic spike resulted from escalating tensions caused by the dispute between the United States and Iran, which disrupted segments of the global petroleum supply chain and tightened aviation fuel markets globally.
As various regions looked for alternative supply sources, the Dangote refinery emerged as a prominent exporter capable of filling a portion of the gap created by the war.
Africa remained the refinery’s largest market throughout the time, purchasing an estimated 23 million barrels of jet fuel.
Europe followed with over 17 million barrels, while the Americas accounted for approximately 11 million barrels.
As global supply shortages worsened, the refinery began delivering aviation fuel directly to international carriers, including Ethiopian Airlines, according to an earlier report
Since the Middle East crisis erupted in late February, the refinery has reportedly provided refined goods to 11 African countries, demonstrating its growing significance in regional energy security and global gasoline trading.
