Dangote Refinery Halts Petrol Sales to Importers in Nigeria

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stopped selling Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to major marketers that import the product into Nigeria. A refinery official confirmed this decision, stating it was due to concerns that some importers were blending the refinery's high-quality petrol with their lower-quality imported products.

The refinery is now prioritizing sales to independent petroleum marketers and other buyers who do not import petrol. This development has raised concerns among marketers about their ability to secure supplies, leading some to approach the court regarding the issuance of petrol import licenses by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The refinery had previously warned it might cease business with importers accused of blending its Euro-5 petrol with imported grades, emphasizing the difficulty in distinguishing its products from those mixed by third parties. Some marketers criticized this decision, claiming it restricts imports and challenged the refinery to prove that imported petrol does not meet quality standards.