Business Page Writer
By Nonso Agbodi
Nigeria’s $20 billion Dangote Refinery has recorded another landmark achievement as its first gasoline shipment successfully arrived in the United States, signaling a new phase in the nation’s refined petroleum exports.
According to vessel-tracking reports cited by Reuters, the Panama-flagged tanker Gemini Pearl delivered about 320,000 barrels of Nigerian-produced gasoline to the Port of New York on Sunday. The cargo, arranged by global commodity trader Vitol in partnership with North American distributor Sunoco, was mostly acquired by Sunoco, while Vitol retained a smaller portion for its own operations.
Industry sources also confirmed that a second shipment, brokered by Glencore for Shell, is expected to dock in New York by September 19, further cementing the refinery’s acceptance in one of the world’s most stringent fuel markets.
Meeting U.S. Standards
The exports are particularly significant as they confirm that gasoline from the Dangote Refinery meets the tough regulatory standards of the U.S. market. This milestone follows the refinery’s successful earlier shipments to Asia and West Africa, where Nigerian media reported over 1.1 billion liters exported between June and early September 2025.
The Lekki-based refinery, which began gasoline output in September 2024 after initially producing diesel and naphtha, is designed to process 650,000 barrels per day—enough to satisfy Nigeria’s domestic demand and create surplus for export. Owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, the plant represents Nigeria’s most ambitious industrial project in decades.
Opportunities and Challenges
While the refinery’s entry into the U.S. market underscores its global competitiveness, its operations have not been without challenges. On August 29, the refinery’s Residue Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCCU)—a key unit for gasoline production—was shut down due to a catalyst leak. Analysts suggest repairs could extend until November, raising concerns about supply stability in Nigeria, which consumes more than 50 million liters of gasoline daily.
The disruption may temporarily force the Nigerian government and fuel marketers to rely again on imports, undermining one of the refinery’s biggest promises—to end Nigeria’s dependence on foreign gasoline.
A Shift in Global Energy Trade
Despite the setback, industry watchers say the refinery’s first successful deliveries to the U.S. represent a strategic breakthrough for Nigeria, placing the country among exporters with access to premium markets. With planned expansions into petrochemicals like polypropylene and more gasoline shipments on the horizon, the Dangote Refinery is positioning itself as a key player not only in Africa but also on the global stage.
