Nigeria has lost its place as Africa’s biggest fuel importer. This major change follows the rise in local output from the Dangote Refinery, which started full operations in early 2024. As the refinery increases production, Nigeria’s need for imported fuel continues to decline.
Recent data from energy consultancy CITAC shows a sharp shift in Africa’s fuel trade. In the first quarter of 2025, Nigeria imported 3.1 million metric tonnes of refined fuel. During the same period, South Africa imported 4.2 million tonnes, making it the continent’s top fuel importer.
“Nigerian imports are dropping as a result of the continued operation of Dangote,” said Elitsa Georgieva, Executive Director at CITAC. She added that crude throughput in sub-Saharan Africa jumped nearly 78 percent in 2024, mainly due to the Dangote facility.
The Dangote Refinery, based near Lagos, is now the world’s largest single-train refinery. Its capacity has reached 550,000 barrels per day and is expected to hit 650,000 barrels later this year. As a result, Nigeria’s overall fuel imports are expected to fall to 6.4 million tonnes by the end of 2025.
Dangote Refinery
Meanwhile, South Africa’s imports are rising. The country has faced several refinery shutdowns since 2020, caused by ageing infrastructure and limited investment. Today, over 60 percent of South Africa’s fuel is imported.
This shift has also affected global traders. Mocoh, a Swiss-based fuel company, recently lost major supply deals in Nigeria. “In early 2025, we saw a paradigm shift,” said CEO Olivier Lassagne. Mocoh is now working with Dangote to supply nearby countries like Benin and Cameroon.
Nigeria’s growing fuel independence could help reduce pressure on foreign reserves. It may also support the naira and cut spending on fuel subsidies. This marks a major turning point for the country’s oil industry and trade position in Africa.
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