₦airaland Forum

Due to Dangote refinery South Africa finally overtook Nigeria in Petrol Importation in Africa.

South Africa has overtaken Nigeria as Africa's largest petrol importer, reflecting key energy market changes.
Nigeria has reduced its petrol imports due to expansions in domestic refining capacity including the Dangote Refinery.

South Africa's increasing petrol imports stem from domestic refining challenges and rising fuel demand.

This development marks a turning point for Nigeria, which for years ranked as the top petrol importer in Africa despite being one of the continent's largest crude oil producers.

The transition from heavy import dependence to near self-sufficiency has been attributed to recent reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, most notably the commencement of operations at the Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest as well as the establishment of several modular refineries across the country.

These facilities have significantly boosted Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity in recent months, reducing the nation’s reliance on imported fuel.

Despite its oil wealth, Nigeria has long grappled with underperforming refineries and inefficient fuel subsidy systems, both of which have disrupted local supply chains and forced the country to import most of its refined petroleum products.

The recent reforms aim to reverse this trend by strengthening local refining output and improving energy self-sufficiency.

Meanwhile, South Africa's rising import levels are being driven by consistent fuel demand coupled with ongoing constraints in its domestic refining sector.

The shutdown of key refineries and delays in upgrading facilities have limited local production, making imports essential to meet demand.

The contrasting trajectories of the two countries highlight broader shifts in Africa’s energy landscape, where investment in refining infrastructure and policy reforms are beginning to redefine long-standing trade patterns.

The report
The new report by energy consultancy CITAC reveals that Nigeria’s fuel import volumes have dropped sharply in the first quarter of 2025, highlighting the transformative impact of the Dangote Refinery.

According to the study, Nigeria imported 3.1 million tonnes of refined petroleum products during the first three months of the year—a significant decline compared to previous years.

In contrast, South Africa imported 4.2 million tonnes during the same period, officially surpassing Nigeria as sub-Saharan Africa’s largest fuel importer.

These changes have been directly linked to the operational gains of the Dangote Refinery. Since the refinery commenced operations in September 2024, Nigeria's dependence on imported petrol has decreased substantially, due to steady output from the facility.

“Nigerian imports are dropping as a result of the continued operation of Dangote,” said Elitsa Georgieva, Executive Director at CITAC. “Since the beginning of this year, South African imports have been consistently the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.”

The report also notes that crude throughput across sub-Saharan African refineries surged by 77.8% year-on-year in 2024. Average daily output increased from 382,500 barrels per day in 2023 to 680,100 barrels in 2024—an expansion driven almost entirely by the Dangote Refinery.

With a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the refinery ramped up to 550,000 barrels per day by January 2025 and now supplies approximately 60% of Nigeria’s petrol demand.

CITAC projects that Nigeria’s total refined fuel imports for 2025 will fall to 6.4 million tonnes—less than half of South Africa’s projected 15.5 million tonnes.

This marks a pivotal shift in regional energy dynamics, placing Nigeria on a path toward greater energy independence.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group also forecasts that the Dangote Refinery could save the country up to $10 billion in foreign exchange this year, largely by cutting down on costly petrol imports.

South Africa, meanwhile, continues to grapple with persistent challenges in its petroleum sector. Nearly 49% of the country’s refining capacity remains idle, with total capacity slashed by half over the past five years due to a mix of industrial accidents and chronic underinvestment.

As a result, South Africa now depends on imports to meet more than 60% of its fuel needs, according to Transnet SOC Ltd., the state-owned logistics company.

Key facilities remain offline, including Sapref—the country’s largest refinery, now owned by the Central Energy Fund—which has taken 180,000 barrels per day out of production. Similarly, Engen’s 120,000-barrel-per-day plant, now under Vitol's ownership, is also shut down.

https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/south-africa-now-africas-biggest-petrol-importer-dethroning-nigeria/43yvqpn

Hahahah

Good news for Nigeria as we will save money from importing unnecessary, all thanks to Dangote refineries

Meanwhile, those gala hawkers who knew nothing about economy would start yarning dust on this thread

SouthAfrica has ever been ahead of Nigeria.

3 days ago, they (SA) also displayed to the whole world to see how they are ahead of Nigeria by display of kindness and friendliness towards an Elephant Seal which found her way onto the streets of SA in broad day light.

SA was cool, calm with her, petting her, taking pics with her, nobody feel to run her over with his or her car...............Isnt this another way SA is ahead of Nigeria??

GOFRONT:
SouthAfrica has ever been ahead of Nigeria.

3 days ago, they (SA) also displayed to the whole world to see how they are ahead of Nigeria by display of kindness and friendliness towards an Elephant Seal which found her way onto the streets of SA in broad day light.

SA was cool, calm with her, petting her, taking pics with her, nobody feel to run her over with his or her car...............Isnt this another way SA is ahead of Nigeria??

So South Africa leading Nigeria in fuel importation, is it a good or bad news for Nigeria?

I want to know if you are truly making use of your education

helinues:


So South Africa leading Nigeria in fuel importation, is it a good or bad news for Nigeria?

I want to know if you are truly making use of your education

I won't argue with you kiddo.

What's all the bragging for? Make una rest jare.

helinues:


So South Africa leading Nigeria in fuel importation, is it a good or bad news for Nigeria?

I want to know if you are truly making use of your education

he nor get sense na werey

helinues:
Hahahah

Good news for Nigeria as we will save money from importing unnecessary, all thanks to Dangote refineries

Meanwhile, those gala hawkers who knew nothing about economy would start yarning dust on this thread

What is with all these bitterness and anger

Ofunaofu:
What is with all these bitterness and anger

Stop attacking my comments for no sensible reason.

Where did you see bitterness, anger, or frustration from my comments except yours

helinues:
Stop attacking my comments for no sensible reason.

Where did you see bitterness, anger, or frustration from my comments except yours

What have those hawking gala done to you that makes you keep exhibiting bitterness and anger toward them?

Ofunaofu:
What have those hawking gala done to you that makes you keep exhibiting bitterness and anger toward them?

Are you a gala hawker ? Did I direct my comments to you?

Why can't you guys just live and allow others to breathe

Ofunaofu:
What have those hawking gala done to you that makes you keep exhibiting bitterness and anger toward them?

The way some of you have taken the politics to some extreme is actually worrisome. Do gala hawking restricted to a particular place or particular region?

Please stop attacking my comments unnecessarily

helinues:
The way some of you have taken the politics to some extreme is actually worrisome. Do gala hawking restricted to a particular place or particular region?

Please stop attacking my comments unnecessarily

Of course, those hawking gala are found across all regions. But I ask, once again: what crime have they committed aside from trying to make an honest living that justifies your constant bitterness and anger toward them?

Ofunaofu:
Of course, those hawking gala are found across all regions. But I ask, once again: what crime have they committed aside from trying to make an honest living that justifies your constant bitterness and anger toward them?

You are not in any position to question my opinion.

Respect yourself and allow others to express themselves without questioning them unnecessarily.

helinues:
You are not in any position to question my opinion.

Respect yourself and allow others to express themselves without questioning them unnecessarily.

Answer the question: what have they done to you that you won’t even let them drink water and drop cup?

Ofunaofu:
Answer the question: what have they done to you that you won’t even let them drink water and drop cup?

Answer the question as you are who?

Like, can't you just think about this unnecessary trolling?

GOFRONT:
SouthAfrica has ever been ahead of Nigeria.

3 days ago, they (SA) also displayed to the whole world to see how they are ahead of Nigeria by display of kindness and friendliness towards an Elephant Seal which found her way onto the streets of SA in broad day light.

SA was cool, calm with her, petting her, taking pics with her, nobody feel to run her over with his or her car...............Isnt this another way SA is ahead of Nigeria??

The report in a nutshell says Nigeria is becoming self-reliant and self-sufficient in oil but South Africa is becoming more and more reliant on oil imports from other countries like Nigeria

richiemcgold:
The report in a nutshell says Nigeria is becoming self-reliant and self-sufficient in oil but South Africa is becoming more and more reliant on oil imports from other countries like Nigeria

You people can be really funny with your reports

1. Nigeria is a big oil producer , South Africa isn't.
2. South Africa and Morroco are the most industrialized nations in Africa with very little oil,so it isn't suprising for them to be massive importers of what they don't have.....the suprising and embarrassing nation on that list was always Nigeria.
3. It is a good thing though that you're finally doing something about that

💀

Good news everywhere
President Bola Tinubu is the best President ever in the history of Nigeria .

God Bless Aliko Dangote
God Bless NNPC

God Bless President Bola Tinubu
God Bless Federal Republic of Nigeria


Some set of bitter leaf will still be angry with this beautiful news

GOFRONT:
SouthAfrica has ever been ahead of Nigeria.

3 days ago, they (SA) also displayed to the whole world to see how they are ahead of Nigeria by display of kindness and friendliness towards an Elephant Seal which found her way onto the streets of SA in broad day light.

SA was cool, calm with her, petting her, taking pics with her, nobody feel to run her over with his or her car...............Isnt this another way SA is ahead of Nigeria??

The way Igbos reason ehn.

Ofunaofu:
Of course, those hawking gala are found across all regions. But I ask, once again: what crime have they committed aside from trying to make an honest living that justifies your constant bitterness and anger toward them?

Street hawking may be part of the your culture but it is actually banned in certain areas.

Lionessza6:
You people can be really funny with your reports

1. Nigeria is a big oil producer , South Africa isn't.
2. South Africa and Morroco are the most industrialized nations in Africa with very little oil,so it isn't suprising for them to be massive importers of what they don't have.....the suprising and embarrassing nation on that list was always Nigeria.
3. It is a good thing though that you're finally doing something about that

The report is about oil. Why poking your nose in the first place when you know SA has no oil?

GOFRONT:
SouthAfrica has ever been ahead of Nigeria.

3 days ago, they (SA) also displayed to the whole world to see how they are ahead of Nigeria by display of kindness and friendliness towards an Elephant Seal which found her way onto the streets of SA in broad day light.

SA was cool, calm with her, petting her, taking pics with her, nobody feel to run her over with his or her car...............Isnt this another way SA is ahead of Nigeria??

It is high time you return your certificate to the school you attended. This is very sad. Are you saying, your education is a waste?

Helinues is all over this thread. Someone get him a job

If Not That We Have Disastrous & Terrible Leaders, Nigeria Have No Business Being On That List

How is this one NEWS. Are we supposed to be importing FUEL in the first place. How can we be importing something that we have at home...
Is like someone that has water stream and yet go beg his/her that doesn't :/ !

Our REQUIREMENTS FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IS LOW...We ought to demand more because we are worth it!!!

Peace ✌🏾!!!

MoneyMan5:
Due to Dangote refinery South Africa finally overtook Nigeria in Petrol Importation in Africa.

https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/south-africa-now-africas-biggest-petrol-importer-dethroning-nigeria/43yvqpn

richiemcgold:
The report is about oil. Why poking your nose in the first place when you know SA has no oil?

LMAO . The" report" mentioned South Africa in comparison to Nigeria you genius .

The usual genius dyck measuring that always backfires . Why not compare yourselves to Angola and Libya ?