In the first quarter of 2026, Nigeria’s energy trade with Togo reached new heights, as the value of Togo’s imports from Nigeria soared to N278. 36 billion for gas oil and N273. 18 billion for jet fuel or kerosene.
This figure, published in the National Bureau of Statistics’Foreign Trade Statistics Report, contrasts sharply with the pre-refinery era, when Nigeria was a net importer of petroleum oils from Togo, spending approximately $117m in 2023 and $72–77m in 2024.
The transformation of Nigeria’s energy landscape began with the commissioning of the Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery, which has propelled Nigeria into the ranks of a net exporter of refined petroleum products. This shift was first reported in March 2026, with data from energy intelligence firm Kpler revealing Nigeria’s exports of approximately 44,000 barrels per day (bpd) of petrol, marking a surplus of roughly 3,000 bpd. This surplus was significant enough to reach East Africa, with a 317,000-barrel cargo shipped to Mozambique in March, the first export to the region.
Exports from the Dangote Refinery have grown exponentially, increasing by about 770 per cent between April 2024 and April 2026.
The growth in fuel sales to Togo has, however, sparked controversy, with debates online questioning why Nigerian fuel is cheaper abroad than in its home market. Matthew Tracey-Cook, an official from S&P Global Commodity Insights, noted during a webinar convened by the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) that Nigerian fuel marketers are increasingly importing refined petroleum products from the Dangote refinery via Lomé, accounting for over 70 to 80 per cent of sea-borne fuel imports into Nigeria. This route, however, has raised concerns about the re-importation of fuel, a claim refuted by the Dangote Refinery in a statement titled “Response to Unsubstantiated Claims and Tissue of Lies”.
Africa’s richest man and owner of the Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, explained the strategic importance of Togo during the Global Commodity Insights Conference on West Africa’s refined gasoline market. He highlighted the economic inefficiencies plaguing the local market, particularly the port-related costs and regulatory limitations faced by local merchants. Dangote and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) both cited the cheaper costs associated with importing gasoline from offshore storage depots in neighboring countries like Togo, rather than from the Dangote Refinery.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Source: Chinedu Okafor
