Nigeria's Petrol Imports Plunge 42.2% to 24.8m Litres as Dangote Refinery Ramps Up Supply

 

Nigeria recorded a significant reduction in petrol imports in January 2026, with daily volumes dropping by 42.2% to an average of 24.8 million litres, according to the latest data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

This marks a sharp decline from the 42.8 million litres imported daily in December 2025. The reduction reflects growing reliance on local production, particularly from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which increased its supply to the domestic market by 25.3% to 40.1 million litres per day—up from 32 million litres the previous month.

Overall, total daily petrol supply (imports plus local production) stood at 64.9 million litres in January 2026, a 12.5% decrease from December's 74.2 million litres. Despite the drop in total supply, the country experienced petrol sufficiency on 33 days during the month, supported by a 13% improvement in stock availability due to better supply performance.

The shift is largely attributed to the ramp-up at the $20 billion Dangote Refinery, which has steadily increased output over recent months. Domestic refining now accounts for a larger share of the market—approximately 62% in January—marking a historic flip where local production has overtaken imports for the first time in recent tracking periods.

Analysts have also pointed to factors like lower petrol prices offshore (e.g., in Lome) and a stronger naira contributing to reduced import volumes.

Average daily petrol consumption in January stood at around 60.2 million litres, with the combination of local and imported supply meeting demand effectively.

This development aligns with Nigeria's broader push toward energy self-sufficiency following subsidy removal and investments in domestic refining capacity. However, challenges remain, including ensuring consistent refinery output and managing potential price fluctuations amid global oil dynamics.

The NMDPRA's report underscores progress in reducing dependence on imported fuel, a long-standing economic drain, as domestic capabilities continue to strengthen.