The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has begun direct aviation fuel deliveries to international carriers, including Ethiopian Airlines, as global supply disruptions linked to tensions between the United States and Iran impact fuel markets.
Speaking at an energy conference in Lagos, David Bird, managing director said the facility is now exporting jet fuel, diesel, and petrol beyond Nigeria after reaching sufficient output to meet domestic demand.
Since the Middle East crisis begun in late February, the refinery has supplied refined products to 11 African countries, reflecting a broader export strategy driven by surplus capacity.
Bird said the company remains focused on prioritising African markets, even as it expands its global footprint.
“We’re proud to have done a direct delivery to Ethiopian Airlines, and we will continue to export surplus production to neighbouring African countries,” he noted.
The refinery, regarded as the largest in Africa, is operating at full capacity following earlier maintenance, according to the company. This has helped it to respond to rising demand for aviation fuel at a time when supply shortages are affecting both developed and emerging economies.
Global oil prices, which recently climbed to about $112 per barrel, have driven up aviation fuel costs. Bird argued that the primary challenge facing markets is not just price volatility but availability.
“What is worse than $100 or $120 oil is no oil at all,” he said, citing shortages in import-dependent countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.
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