Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery is set to export a gasoline cargo to Asia for the first time, expanding its reach beyond West African markets.

According to a source familiar with the matter, a 90,000 metric ton shipment of gasoline is scheduled to be loaded on June 22 by global commodity trader Mercuria.

Since beginning its gasoline exports in 2024, the 650,000 barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery has supplied refined fuel exclusively to countries within West Africa. The upcoming shipment to Asia marks a significant shift in the refinery’s commercial trajectory and underscores the growing international demand for Nigerian refined products.

A spokesperson for Dangote Refinery reaffirmed the facility’s market-oriented strategy, stating, “We sell our products to those who are willing to give us the highest price. It’s the buyer’s right to take the products to any destination of their choice.”

While Mercuria has not yet commented on the deal, the move signals a new chapter for the $19 billion refinery, which is the largest in Africa. Industry analysts see this development as a positive step toward integrating Nigerian refined products into global energy markets. (ILKHA)