The Lagos-based Dangote refinery has exported two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco, marking another major milestone for the $20 billion facility.
This was disclosed by Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, during a tour of the refinery on Tuesday with directors of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
Speaking to the NESG delegation, Dangote noted that the refinery was already meeting the ambitious targets set by the company.
“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,” he said.
Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest energy company, sourcing jet fuel from Dangote refinery signals a shift in global trade patterns, one analyst noted.
Analysts say this transaction further solidifies the refinery’s growing reputation in the global energy market.
Dangote growing international expansion
Last year, S&P Global reported that British Petroleum (BP) had purchased its first jet fuel cargo from the refinery.
The shipment, carried by the vessel Doric Breeze, marked BP’s inaugural purchase of approximately 45,000 metric tons of jet fuel from the facility
S&P Global stated, “The European shipment demonstrates the growing reach of products from the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote refinery as it rapidly expands operations and reshapes West African trade flows.”
In early 2024, the refinery issued tenders for its first export cargoes.
The first shipment of 65,000 metric tons of low sulfur straight run fuel oil was awarded to global commodities trader Trafigura, while a second tender for 60,000 metric tons of naphtha was also issued.
The refinery’s global reach expanded further when Singapore, Asia’s oil hub, received its first low-sulfur straight-run fuel oil cargo from the Dangote facility.
This marked a significant trade shift, as Singapore one of the world’s largest ship refueling hubs relies on imports to meet its demand for low-sulfur fuel oil.
In Africa, the petrochemical plant has exported its products to several countries, including Cameroon, Ghana, and Morocco, among others, expanding its reach across international markets.
Since beginning operations in August 2023, the 650,000 barrel per day Dangote refinery has made significant strides in positioning Nigeria as a major player in the global refining market.
