Nigeria’s Petrol Imports Rise 9% as Dangote Refinery Supply Falls 21%

Nigeria’s petrol imports increased by 9 per cent in July, even as daily fuel consumption fell sharply and petrol supply from the Dangote Refinery declined, fresh data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has shown.

The NMDPRA’s latest factsheet showed that petrol imports rose to an average of 19.7 million litres per day in July, up from 18.1 million litres per day in June. The increase followed the issuance of import licences to petroleum marketers for the third quarter of 2026.

At the same time, the Dangote Refinery supplied an average of 25.8 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) per day to the domestic market in July. That was a 21 per cent decline from the 32.5 million litres per day supplied in June.

The drop in refinery supply came despite a much lower level of petrol consumption across the country. According to the NMDPRA data, Nigeria’s daily PMS consumption fell by 25 per cent, from 47.4 million litres per day in June to 35.7 million litres per day in July.

The figures point to a significant shift in the country’s petrol supply balance, with imports increasing at a time when overall demand was falling. The development also comes as regulators continue to allow selected marketers to bring petroleum products into the country.

The NMDPRA also reported changes in diesel supply. Dangote Refinery’s Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) supply to the domestic market fell by 3 per cent, from 16.2 million litres per day in June to 15.7 million litres per day in July.

Unlike the previous month, diesel imports also resumed in July, reaching 7.9 million litres per day, compared with zero imports recorded in June.

The latest figures follow the NMDPRA’s decision in June to issue third-quarter 2026 import licences to several petroleum marketers, including AA Rano and AYM Shafa, covering petrol and diesel. The licences opened the door for additional imported products even as domestic refining capacity continued to play a major role in meeting local demand.