An energy expert has revealed that Nigerian fuel marketers are increasingly importing refined petroleum products from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery through an offshore trading hub in Lomé, Togo, even as the refinery expands its domestic capacity.
Growing Trend of Re-imported Dangote Fuel
During a webinar organized by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), S&P Global Energy analyst Matthew Tracey-Cook disclosed that the movement of products from Dangote's coastal facilities to Lomé and back into Nigeria has become common. This practice highlights the strong commercial ties between the refinery and the West African trading hub.
Tracey-Cook noted that Dangote-origin products now dominate fuel imports into Nigeria by sea, excluding truck-transported volumes. Over the past six months, the refinery's output has become the primary source of waterborne petroleum imports into Lagos and other regions.
Data Highlights
Data presented at the webinar showed that between March and May 2026, more than 70 to 80 percent of refined products imported into Nigeria originated from the Dangote Refinery before being re-imported through coastal trading channels. A similar pattern is evident in the diesel market, with Dangote's role expanding considerably.
Lomé as a Strategic Hub
Despite increased direct supplies from Dangote, the offshore Lomé market remains a critical logistics center for fuel distribution across West Africa. Tracey-Cook explained that the hub allows large medium-range tankers to offload cargoes onto smaller vessels capable of accessing ports that cannot accommodate bigger ships.
He stated: "Lomé has become an increasingly important transshipment hub for filling regional shortages across the region. It serves an important purpose, given that many ports in West Africa don’t have the capacity to take a fully laden MR-sized vessel."
Trading activity through Lomé remains higher than 2024 levels, with particularly strong volumes recorded during November and December 2025. Charts from the event showed substantial exports from Dangote to offshore Lomé, including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, and other refined products.
Export Growth and Pricing Dynamics
Tracey-Cook also highlighted unusual pricing developments since the Middle East crisis. Petrol prices in West Africa are currently trading significantly above European levels, deviating from normal seasonal patterns. He added that Dangote's petrol pricing remains closely linked to benchmarks established at the Lomé STS market, while price differences between locations provide opportunities for traders to manage risks.
Dangote Targets Mega Free Trade Zone
Meanwhile, Aliko Dangote has announced plans to build a large industrial and free trade zone in Olokola, Ondo State, to attract investors and boost manufacturing. The project will provide its own power, water, gas, and logistics infrastructure to help businesses operate without inadequate utilities. Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has welcomed the investment, saying it will create jobs, drive industrial growth, and strengthen the state's economy.
