Africa’s largest oil refinery, Dangote Refinery, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful shipment of its first jet fuel cargo to Europe. This landmark event underscores the refinery’s rapid scaling of production capabilities since its launch in April 2023.
The inaugural shipment was loaded onto the “Doric Breeze” vessel and departed from the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos on May 27th. It is currently en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands, as reported by S&P Global Commodities at Sea data. The cargo comprises 45,000 metric tons of jet fuel and marks a major step in the refinery’s operational timeline.
This shipment was part of a larger 120,000-metric-ton tender offered by Dangote Refinery. British oil giant BP secured the initial 45,000 metric tons, while Spanish refiner Cepsa also won a portion of the tender. Cepsa is expected to deliver its share of jet fuel to Europe in the near future.
The Dangote Refinery, owned by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, is positioned to significantly impact global energy markets by increasing the availability of refined petroleum products. Its state-of-the-art facilities and strategic location in the Lekki Free Zone allow for efficient distribution to both domestic and international markets.
Since its launch, the refinery has been a focal point for Nigeria’s ambitions to become a net exporter of petroleum products, reducing the nation’s dependency on imported fuels. This first successful export to Europe represents a promising start for the refinery’s contribution to the global energy supply chain.
