Dangote Refinery Export to Lomé Claims Denied as Company Rejects Re-Import Allegation

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed claims that its products are exported to Lomé, Togo, and later re-imported into Nigeria.

The company described the allegations as false and without evidence. It insisted that the Dangote Refinery export to Lomé claims lack both commercial and operational justification.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the refinery said its primary goal is to strengthen energy security in Nigeria and across Africa by supplying petroleum products directly to local markets.

The company argued that exporting products to Lomé and then bringing them back into Nigeria would make little business sense. It explained that such a process would attract additional logistics costs estimated at between 82 and 90 dollars per metric ton, making the trade commercially unattractive.

Furthermore, the refinery said it does not offer export pricing incentives that could encourage arbitrage opportunities. As a result, it maintained that there is no financial advantage in exporting products only for them to return to Nigeria.

The refinery also highlighted its product traceability measures. According to the company, it keeps detailed records of buyers, vessels, lifting points and declared destinations. It added that contractual agreements prohibit the resale or re-importation of its products into Nigeria.

Moreover, the company stressed that supporting such practices would contradict its publicly stated objective of reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products and boosting local refining capacity.

The Dangote Refinery export to Lomé claims have sparked debate in recent weeks. However, the company insists available trade data and commercial realities do not support the allegations.