Dangote Refinery Dismisses Re-Importation Claims, Insists PMS Exports Do Not Return to Nigeria
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has strongly refuted allegations that its petroleum products are exported to Lomé, Togo, and subsequently re-imported into Nigeria, describing the claims as false, misleading, and lacking any factual basis.
In a statement issued by its management, the refinery expressed concern over the circulation of what it called unfounded allegations, stressing that while it does not usually respond to baseless claims, it considered it necessary to address the misinformation in the interest of transparency.
According to the company, the allegation is unsupported by verifiable trade data, commercial realities, or the refinery’s operational framework.
Management reiterated that one of the refinery’s primary objectives is to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic fuel supply and serve as a leading provider of petroleum products within the country. It noted that any arrangement that would allow imported products to compete directly with its locally refined output would run contrary to that mission.
The refinery further disclosed that all its sales contracts and tender agreements expressly prohibit the resale or re-importation of its petroleum products into Nigeria.
Explaining the economic impracticality of the alleged trade route, the company stated that logistics costs associated with transporting petroleum products from the refinery to Lomé and back to Nigeria are estimated at between $82 and $90 per metric ton. Such expenses, it said, would significantly reduce profit margins and render the transactions commercially unviable.
“Dangote Refinery does not offer export discounts capable of offsetting these additional costs or creating arbitrage opportunities between export and domestic markets. No rational producer would willingly incur extra shipping, storage, financing, and handling costs only for products to return and compete in its primary market,” the statement noted.
The company also highlighted its robust product-tracking mechanisms, which include comprehensive records of lifting points, nominated vessels, counterparties, and declared destinations. These systems, it said, ensure transparency, accountability, and full visibility across its supply chain.
Management maintained that any suggestion that the refinery facilitates or condones the re-importation of its products is inconsistent with its contractual safeguards and compliance standards.
The refinery emphasized its longstanding commitment to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, warning that any practice encouraging re-importation would undermine local refining efforts, place additional pressure on foreign exchange reserves, and hinder national industrial growth.
Reaffirming its position, Dangote Refinery stated that there is no strategic, economic, or operational justification for exporting petroleum products only for them to be re-imported into Nigeria.
“The allegation is entirely unfounded and fails to stand up to scrutiny when assessed against market realities, contractual obligations, and established industry practices,” the statement said.
The company concluded by reaffirming its commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s energy security, supporting local refining capacity, and contributing to Africa’s broader industrial development agenda.