Nigeria imported an average of 78,000 barrels of petrol per day between April and August, even as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported some of its gasoline output to other markets when favourable trading opportunities emerged, a report by Argus Media has shown.

The development comes as the refinery increases its supply of petroleum products to West African countries, with deliveries reaching a record 172,000 barrels per day in September, according to George Mayer Bonnett, Deputy Editor, Oil Products at Argus Media.

The report said Nigeria’s average petrol consumption stood at 279,000 barrels per day during the five month period, exceeding the Dangote refinery’s average output of 258,000 barrels per day.

However, Nigeria also imported 78,000 barrels per day of petrol over the period, allowing the refinery to export some of its production to more profitable markets outside the country.

According to the report, the figures show the coexistence of petrol imports into Nigeria and exports from the country’s largest refinery, as domestic demand, production levels and market opportunities continue to influence the movement of petroleum products in and out of Nigeria.

Industry analysts note that the situation reflects the deregulated nature of the downstream petroleum market, where marketers are free to import products while local refiners also seek competitive prices internationally.

They add that despite increased local refining capacity, Nigeria’s consumption still outpaces current local production.

The refinery’s deliveries to West African markets rose from the previous record of 152,000 barrels per day in August to 172,000 barrels per day in September, according to Kpler data cited in the report. The shipments covered countries across the region, from Senegal to Angola, indicating stronger intra African energy trade.

“Petrol accounted for the largest share of the September deliveries at 62,000 barrels per day. Diesel and gasoil shipments totalled 57,000 barrels per day, while jet fuel deliveries reached 36,000 barrels per day. Other clean petroleum products accounted for a further 17,000 barrels per day,” the report stated.

The figures underline the refinery’s growing role in supplying West African fuel markets and its emergence as a major regional supplier, although the region continued to rely heavily on imports from outside the region to meet its total energy needs.

The report concludes that as the Dangote refinery ramps up production and optimizes its operations, Nigeria may eventually reduce its petrol import dependence, but for now, imports remain necessary to bridge the supply gap.