Dangote Refinery Records 105% Capacity Utilisation, Boosts Nigeria’s Fuel Supply and Exports

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery recorded an average capacity utilisation of 105.21 per cent in August 2026, surpassing its 700,000 barrels-per-day nameplate capacity and marking a significant improvement in its operational performance.

According to data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the refinery processed an average of 736,470 barrels of crude oil per day during the month, compared with 497,000 barrels per day in July, when capacity utilisation stood at 71 per cent.

The increase was supported by improved domestic crude oil supply, with deliveries to the refinery rising by 16.75 per cent to an average of 683,000 barrels per day in August.

The higher crude throughput translated into average daily production of 84.43 million litres of refined white products, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK).

The latest performance further strengthens the refinery’s position as a major supplier of refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market and other countries across the West African region.

The Dangote Group said the development demonstrates the refinery’s growing contribution to Nigeria’s energy security, foreign exchange conservation and industrial development.

Domestic PMS deliveries from the refinery increased by 39 per cent month-on-month to 35.87 million litres per day in August, representing approximately 71 per cent of Nigeria’s total domestic petrol supply.

The increase in local petrol production coincided with a decline in the country’s dependence on imported PMS. National petrol imports fell by 26 per cent to 14.60 million litres per day during the period.

The refinery also recorded significant export volumes during the month, supplying an average of 9.73 million litres of PMS, 8.75 million litres of diesel and 21.30 million litres of aviation fuel daily to international markets.

The export performance is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s position in the regional refined petroleum products market while supporting foreign exchange earnings.

The refinery’s impact was also evident in the diesel market. Domestic AGO deliveries averaged 12.37 million litres per day in August, contributing to a substantial reduction in diesel imports.

National diesel imports declined from 7.90 million litres per day in July to just 1.30 million litres per day in August, reflecting increased availability of locally refined diesel.

The development has implications for major sectors of the Nigerian economy, including transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, telecommunications and power generation, which rely heavily on petroleum products for their operations.

Operating above its nameplate capacity also highlights the refinery’s ability to sustain high levels of throughput as it continues to expand its role in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

Dangote Group said the refinery remains committed to increasing local value addition, supporting economic diversification and ensuring the sustainable supply of quality refined petroleum products to markets in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.