Dangote Refinery imports first crude shipment from UAE

Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery has imported crude oil from the United Arab Emirates for the first time, marking a shift in its sourcing strategy as it expands operations, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights.

The refinery received two cargoes from the Middle East this month, moving beyond its traditional reliance on Nigerian crude and signalling efforts to diversify supply sources.

Until now, Dangote had largely depended on domestic and US crude. Data from S&P Global Commodity Insights shows that in 2025, about 70% of its crude supply came from Nigeria, while 24% was sourced from the United States.

The refinery has been scaling up operations and recently reached a processing milestone of 700,000 barrels per day. It is now targeting a major expansion that would double capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day within the next 30 months, potentially positioning it among the world’s largest refining complexes.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company has previously committed to supplying between 13 and 15 cargoes of crude monthly to support operations at the facility. However, ongoing domestic supply constraints have pushed the refinery to explore additional international sources.

The new UAE imports also come amid improved crude availability from the Middle East, supported by renewed oil flows following easing geopolitical tensions around key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

The development underscores Dangote Refinery’s growing role in global crude markets as it balances domestic supply agreements with broader international procurement to sustain its expansion plans.

Prince Antwi

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