Aliko Dangote's Refinery Relies On U.s. Crude Imports Amid Nigeria Supply Drop

Dangote refinery ramps up U.S. WTI crude imports as Nigeria battles domestic oil supply shortfalls and infrastructure challenges.

Africas largest refinery shifts global oil trade flows, sourcing nearly one-third of crude from the U.S. amid falling Asian demand.

Refinery hits 500,000 bpd, eyes 650,000 bpd by mid-2025, driving Nigerias fuel independence and boosting export logistics.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africas largest and owned by the continents richest man, Aliko Dangote, is ramping up imports of U.S. West Texas Intermediate WTI crude as Nigerias domestic oil supply tightens. This underscores evolving global trade dynamics and Nigerias urgent need to stabilize fuel production.

The Refinery, with a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day bpd, now sources nearly one-third of its crude from the United States, nearly doubling U.S. imports since early 2024. This mega refinery has effectively ended Nigerias long-standing status as Africas largest fuel importer by ramping up local refining output.

The pivot toward U.S. crude reflects multiple pressures: dwindling Nigerian oil supply caused by underinvestment, pipeline theft, and aging infrastructure the operational advantage of WTIs higher gasoline yields and shifting global markets.

Lower demand for U.S. crude in Asia, amid ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions, has freed up more WTI barrels for Atlantic Basin buyers like Dangote. Industry sources highlight Vitol Group as the key supplier, shipping an estimated 14 million barrels of WTI Midlandnow part of the Brent benchmark basketto the refinery this summer.

Since beginning phased operations in 2024, Dangotes refinery has expanded production from diesel and naphtha to gasoline. Sourcing flexibility remains critical as the refinery optimizes output and manages local crude volatility.