Dangote Refinery Boosts Nigeria's Fuel Exports to UK

The United Kingdom has significantly increased its imports of refined petroleum products from Nigeria, with a total value of £1.02bn in the 12 months to June 2026. This represents a major shift in bilateral energy trade, driven by the expansion of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. According to the UK government's Trade and Investment Factsheet, refined petroleum products accounted for 53.5 per cent of Britain's total merchandise imports from Nigeria during this period.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, with a nameplate processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is steadily increasing its participation in international petroleum markets. This development has contributed to a change in the composition of Nigeria's petroleum exports to Britain, with refined products overtaking crude oil as the dominant category. In value terms, refined petroleum exports were approximately 85 per cent higher than crude oil exports, representing a difference of £467m.

The UK government's report also showed that Britain's crude oil imports from Nigeria fell by 56.2 per cent to £550.3m during the period, accounting for 28.9 per cent of its total merchandise imports from the country. This significant shift in the composition of Nigeria's petroleum exports to Britain highlights the impact of the Dangote refinery on the country's energy trade.

The growth in refined petroleum exports has contributed to an increase in Nigeria's merchandise exports to Britain, which rose to approximately £1.9bn in the 12 months to June 2026. This represents an increase of 10.4 per cent, or £180m, compared with the preceding 12-month period. Other major Nigerian products imported by Britain included gas, valued at £179.5m, and coffee, tea and cocoa products, worth £40.3m.

The increase in gas imports from Nigeria represents a seven per cent increase compared with the preceding 12 months. Imports of coffee, tea and cocoa products recorded growth of more than 100 per cent, while beverages and tobacco accounted for £30m, representing a 24.2 per cent increase. These figures demonstrate the diversification of Nigeria's export earnings, despite petroleum's continued dominance in the country's export relationship with the UK.

The Dangote refinery's expansion is expected to further increase Nigeria's refining capacity and contribute to the country's efforts to diversify its export earnings. The refinery's growth has also created new opportunities for employment and economic growth in Lagos, with plans to employ over 90,000 people. The UK government's report highlights the importance of trade and investment between the two countries.

The changing trade relationship between Nigeria and the UK is driven by the Dangote refinery's increasing participation in international petroleum markets. With Nigeria increasingly exporting refined petroleum products rather than relying predominantly on crude oil shipments, the country's energy trade with the UK is expected to continue evolving. The growth in refined petroleum exports is a significant development in the bilateral energy trade between the two countries.

Key points

• Dangote refinery drives £1bn Nigerian fuel exports to UK
• Refined petroleum products account for 53.5 per cent of Britain's total merchandise imports from Nigeria
• Nigeria's merchandise exports to Britain rise to approximately £1.9bn in the 12 months to June 2026