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Petroleum marketers in Nigeria are increasingly importing fuel refined by the Dangote Refinery through the Lomé trading hub in Togo, highlighting an unusual supply-chain arrangement in the West African fuel market. Although the fuel originates from Nigeria, some traders find it commercially attractive to purchase cargoes through offshore trading channels linked to Lomé before bringing them back into the Nigerian market. This trend reflects the growing regional influence of the Dangote refinery and the evolving dynamics of fuel distribution across West Africa.
Industry stakeholders say the practice is driven largely by pricing considerations, logistics, and trading opportunities available through the Lomé hub, which has long served as a major petroleum distribution center for West Africa. Analysts have previously noted that fuel pricing in offshore Lomé markets can significantly influence import decisions by Nigerian marketers.
The development comes amid ongoing debates over fuel import licenses and competition in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector. While Dangote Refinery has argued that local refining capacity can meet much of the country’s demand, regulators and marketers maintain that imports remain important for ensuring supply security and market competition.
The situation underscores how the refinery has become a major regional supplier since reaching full production capacity. Recent export data show Dangote products reaching several African countries, including Togo, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Côte d’Ivoire. As regional trade expands, fuel produced in Nigeria is increasingly moving through international trading hubs before finding its way back into domestic and neighboring markets, demonstrating the interconnected nature of Africa’s petroleum supply chain.
