The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has significantly decreased the importation of aviation fuel into Nigeria, dropping from 13,000 barrels per day in 2023 to 5,000 barrels per day in 2024, as reported by Energy Intelligence.
The report indicates that the Dangote refinery is now the primary supplier of domestic jet fuel deliveries, having commenced production less than six months ago.
Currently, Dangote's jet fuel accounts for approximately two-thirds of Nigeria's total jet fuel supply and nearly half of the fuel consumed throughout West Africa, based on calculations from Energy Intelligence.
“Nigeria’s jet fuel imports have collapsed from 13,000 b/d last year — when they made up all of the country’s supply — to just 5,000 b/d so far in 2024. Jet imports into West Africa from outside of the region have similarly dropped from 34,500 b/d in 2023 to just 17,900 b/d so far this year. Loading schedules show Dangote jet heading to Benin, Senegal, Togo, the Gambia, and Gabon in the region,” the report stated.
Dangote reportedly exported 1.1 million tonnes (equivalent to 35,000 barrels per day) of jet fuel since commencing shipments in March, as per Kpler tanker tracking data.
This total encompasses nearly 290,000 tonnes of JetA1 delivered to Europe and 315,000 tonnes dispatched to South America, while the majority of the remaining volume has been retained within West Africa.
“Exports have tailed off slightly since September in line with higher domestic sales. Energy Intelligence calculates that since April an additional 94,000 tonnes of Dangote jet (fuel) has been shipped to other ports in Nigeria, mainly Lagos.
“The refinery’s management had previously suggested around three-quarters of Dangote jet production would be sold by sea with the rest loaded onto road tankers heading inland,” the report revealed.
Foluso Sobanjo, Managing Director of Asharami Synergy, informed Energy Intelligence that the pricing of Dangote's products is either marginally lower or comparable to that of imports.
Sobanjo revealed that Dangote's jet fuel is currently offered at a discount of $2 to $3 per metric tonne compared to imported alternatives.
He also emphasized that the regular availability of "coaster" volumes ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes from the plant adds to the convenience of sourcing from Dangote.
“Prices have fallen as the plant has ramped up production — despite large volumes of Mideast and Asian jet fuel passing right by the Nigerian coast on the way to Europe. Sources say Dangote is now operating at more than 300,000 b/d and finally began selling gasoline last month,” the report added.
Sobanjo also clarified local media reports indicating that Dangote had begun selling jet fuel in naira within the local market.