The Dangote Refinery in Lagos has emerged as a key player in global energy markets as its exports significantly increase US jet fuel imports. In March 2025 alone, six vessels carrying 1.7 million barrels of jet fuel from Dangote Refinery arrived at US ports. This surge has pushed US jet fuel imports to an average of 226,000 barrels per day, marking the highest level in two years.
Industry analysts suggest that the increased supply from Dangote Refinery could drive down aviation fuel prices in the United States. This development comes at a time when the US aviation sector is grappling with high operational costs due to fluctuating global oil prices.
The sudden rise in US demand for Nigerian jet fuel is partly due to the temporary shutdown of the Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery in New Jersey, a major supplier of aviation fuel in the country. The closure created a supply gap that Dangote Refinery has helped to fill. However, experts believe that once the Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery resumes operations, US demand for jet fuel from Nigeria may decline.
Despite this temporary shift, the growing influence of the Dangote Refinery on the global oil market cannot be ignored. Owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, the $19 billion refinery is the largest in Africa and one of the biggest in the world, with the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The refinery, which began operations in 2024, is already making an impact on fuel supply chains beyond Africa. In addition to supplying the Nigerian market, Dangote Refinery has positioned itself as a key exporter of refined petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and jet fuel, to Europe and North America.
Economic experts see this development as a positive sign for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which has long relied on imported refined petroleum products despite being one of the world’s largest crude oil producers. With the success of Dangote Refinery, there is hope that Nigeria will become self-sufficient in refined fuel production while also expanding its influence in the international energy market.
