Dangote Petroleum Refinery has imported its first crude oil cargoes from the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant expansion of its crude sourcing strategy as the company seeks to strengthen feedstock availability amid persistent domestic supply constraints. The refinery purchased two cargoes of UAE crude, representing its first procurement from the Middle East.
The development signals a shift in the refinery’s crude procurement approach, which has largely depended on Nigerian, African, and United States crude grades. The move comes as the company continues to pursue a broader range of crude options to support stable operations and improve flexibility in its refining activities.
Dangote Refinery Chief Executive Officer, David Bird, had previously highlighted challenges associated with domestic crude availability and operational issues at some export terminals, noting that these constraints made it necessary to source additional supplies outside Nigeria.
Industry data indicates that the refinery has already imported crude grades from Angola, Ghana, Libya, and Guyana in 2026 as part of its efforts to diversify feedstock sources and maintain production levels. The refinery is also seeking to increase the number of crude grades it can process in pursuit of a fully merchant refining model.
Despite ongoing efforts by regulators to improve domestic crude supply arrangements, the refinery has increasingly relied on imported crude to sustain operations. Analysts say the latest UAE purchases underscore the refinery’s growing integration into global crude markets and its determination to secure reliable feedstock supplies.
