Dangote Refinery Rejects Claims of Exports Routed Back into Nigeria from Lome
Dangote Refinery has dismissed as “baseless and unsubstantiated” claims that petroleum products refined at its facility are exported to Lomé, Togo, and then re-imported into Nigeria, arguing that available trade realities and commercial logic do not support the allegation.
In a statement on Tuesday responding to what it described as a “web of falsehoods,” the refinery said such a practice would contradict its core commercial objective of strengthening its position as a leading supplier to the Nigerian market. It added that its sales contracts and tender terms expressly prohibit buyers from reselling or re-importing its products into Nigeria.
The refinery also pointed to the economics of the alleged route, estimating that transporting product from the refinery to Lomé and back into Nigeria would cost about $82–$90 per metric ton, a level it said would significantly erode margins and make the trade unattractive. It added that it does not offer export discounts large enough to offset those costs or create a workable arbitrage between export and domestic markets.
On controls and compliance, Dangote Refinery said it maintains detailed records for product sales and movements, including lifting locations, nominated vessels, counterparties and, where applicable, destination declarations. It said any suggestion it is knowingly facilitating re-importation conflicts with the contractual restrictions imposed on buyers and the refinery’s compliance procedures.
The company further argued that the allegation is inconsistent with its long-standing public stance in favour of ending Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, warning that increased importation undermines local refining, pressures foreign exchange reserves and weakens domestic industrial development.
Dangote Refinery concluded that there is “neither a strategic rationale nor a commercial incentive” to export products to neighbouring markets for subsequent re-importation into Nigeria.
