Dangote Petroleum Refinery emerged as the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April 2026 following disruptions in global fuel trade caused by tensions in the Middle East, according to a report by S&P Global Energy.
The report, which featured comments from the refinery’s chief executive officer, David Bird, stated that rising aviation fuel demand and supply disruptions across major shipping routes boosted exports from the Nigerian facility.
According to S&P Global Commodities at Sea data, the refinery became the world’s single largest exporter of aviation fuel after the Middle East conflict altered established global supply patterns.
“After the Middle East war began, Dangote shifted to ‘max jet mode,’ and in April it became the world’s single largest exporter of aviation fuel,” the report stated.
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The refinery has now reached its full production capacity of about 650,000 barrels per day after completing its gradual production ramp-up. It has also maintained near-peak operational levels in recent months.
The report noted that the facility adopted a flexible blending strategy by importing feedstocks such as GTL naphtha and Bonny condensate to increase gasoline and refined product yields beyond its base production configuration.
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Bird said the refinery was gradually transitioning into a merchant refining model that actively trades crude oil and refined products in international markets rather than focusing mainly on domestic processing.
The refinery is also expanding the range of crude grades it can process. According to the report, the facility can currently refine about 40 crude types and plans to increase that number over time as part of its global trading ambitions.
Bird stated that the long-term target is to increase production capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, which would require sourcing crude supplies from regions including the United States, the Middle East and South America.
The refinery is also pursuing long-term supply agreements with governments, airlines and national oil companies while investing in storage and logistics infrastructure across parts of Africa.
The Middle East conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States disrupted global energy markets after threats to shipping activities around the Strait of Hormuz, a route responsible for nearly 20 per cent of global oil and fuel trade.
The disruption contributed to higher global jet fuel prices and created export opportunities for suppliers outside the Middle East, including Dangote Refinery.
In response to rising aviation fuel costs, the Federal Government earlier introduced benchmark price guidance and credit support measures for airlines, while Dangote Refinery reduced its ex-depot aviation fuel price and shifted transactions to naira-based sales.
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