Nigeria's Petrol Imports Surge 97% in March 2026

In March 2026, petrol imports in Nigeria increased by 97%, reaching 3.0 million liters per day, compared to 5.9 million liters per day in February, according to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This surge indicates a renewed reliance on foreign supply amidst changing domestic dynamics.

Local supply improved, driven by domestic refiners, including Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has become a significant player in the market. Local petrol supply rose from 30.5 million liters per day to 34.2 million liters per day, contributing to an overall increase in total daily petrol supply from 39.5 million liters to 40.1 million liters during this period.

However, petrol consumption dropped from 56.9 million liters per day in February to 47.3 million liters per day in March, suggesting weaker demand due to high prices. The NMDPRA's regulatory shifts regarding petrol import licenses also played a role in the market dynamics.