Dangote Petroleum Refinery imported a total of 40.40 million barrels of crude oil between May and June 2026, spending approximately $4.48 billion on feedstock purchases as it continued to ramp up operations and diversify its supply sources. The refinery’s significant crude imports underscore its growing role in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and regional energy markets.
The imports were sourced from multiple countries, reflecting the refinery’s strategy of broadening its crude procurement channels amid domestic supply constraints. Recent purchases have included crude grades from Nigeria, Libya, and the United Arab Emirates, marking the refinery’s first-ever imports of Middle Eastern crude.
Industry data indicates that the refinery requires between 13 and 15 cargoes of crude oil monthly to sustain operations at higher production levels. While the facility continues to receive supplies from Nigeria’s state-owned oil company, imported crude has become increasingly important in meeting its feedstock requirements.
The refinery has steadily expanded production since commencing operations and recently exceeded its nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day during performance tests. Analysts say the refinery’s increasing crude imports and rising output are strengthening its position as a major supplier of refined petroleum products within Nigeria and across international markets.
Experts believe the refinery’s aggressive crude procurement strategy could improve fuel availability, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, and enhance Nigeria’s refining capacity. However, they also note that sustained operations will depend on reliable feedstock supply arrangements and continued investments in refining infrastructure.
