Dangote Refinery Refutes Claims Of Fuel Exports To Togo For Re-Importation

Dangote Refinery has strongly denied allegations that petroleum products refined at its facility are exported to Lomé, Togo, and subsequently re-imported into Nigeria, describing the claims as unfounded and lacking commercial logic.

According to Ireporter Online, the refinery issued a statement on Tuesday rejecting the allegations and asserting that they are inconsistent with both established trade practices and economic realities. The company explained that although it generally avoids responding to unverified claims, it considered it necessary to address what it described as misleading narratives circulating in the public space.

The refinery maintained that there is no evidence to support assertions that its products are routed through neighbouring countries before finding their way back into the Nigerian market. It stressed that such an arrangement would contradict its business objectives, which are centered on strengthening its position as a major supplier of petroleum products within Nigeria.

The company noted that facilitating the importation of products that would directly compete with its own output would be contrary to its commercial interests. It further emphasized that its sales agreements and tender conditions expressly prohibit buyers from reselling or re-importing products into Nigeria.

Dangote Refinery also highlighted the financial impracticality of the alleged arrangement, stating that the cost of transporting petroleum products from its facility to Lomé and then back into Nigeria would range between $82 and $90 per metric tonne. According to the company, such additional expenses would significantly reduce profitability and make the transactions economically unattractive.

The refinery added that it does not provide export discounts substantial enough to offset the logistics costs involved or create opportunities for profitable arbitrage between export and domestic markets. It argued that no rational producer would willingly incur extra expenses related to shipping, storage, financing, and handling only to have the products return and compete in its primary market.

In further defence of its position, the company pointed to its product traceability systems and compliance mechanisms, which allow it to maintain detailed records of all transactions, including loading points, vessels, counterparties, and destination declarations where required. It said these controls make any suggestion of deliberate facilitation of re-importation inconsistent with its operational procedures and contractual obligations.

The refinery also reiterated its longstanding position in support of reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products. It argued that increased fuel imports undermine local refining efforts, place additional pressure on foreign exchange reserves, and weaken domestic industrial growth.

Concluding its response, Dangote Refinery stated that there is neither a strategic advantage nor a commercial incentive for it to support the export of products to neighbouring countries for eventual re-importation into Nigeria. The company insisted that the allegations are not supported by trade economics, contractual arrangements, compliance controls, or its publicly stated commitment to strengthening local refining capacity and reducing reliance on imports.