Dangote Refinery Supplies 95% of Nigeria’s Jet A1, Exports 1.1bn Litres to Europe – AON

 Dangote Refinery Supplies 95% of Nigeria’s Jet A1, Exports 1.1bn Litres to Europe – AON

L-R: President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Museveni; President of Kenya, H.E. William Ruto, and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu, at The Africa We Build Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday.

The Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON) has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as a major stabilising force in the country’s aviation sector, revealing that it currently supplies over 95 per cent of Nigeria’s Jet A1 fuel needs while also exporting about 1.1 billion litres of aviation fuel to Europe between March and April 20.

The disclosure was made by AON spokesperson, Obiora Okonkwo, during a televised interview, where he credited the refinery with helping to sustain airline operations amid global supply disruptions triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and rising international fuel costs.

According to Okonkwo, the refinery has become indispensable to domestic carriers, insisting that its output has helped cushion the impact of volatile global energy markets.

“It is a matter of fact that over 95 per cent of aviation fuel supplied across the country comes from the Dangote refinery. To airline operators in Nigeria, Dangote is not just a refinery; it is a game changer and, indeed, a lifesaver,” he said.

Despite the steady supply, he raised concerns over the rising cost of Jet A1 in the domestic market, alleging that airline operators are being subjected to price hikes of up to 300 per cent due to inefficiencies and alleged manipulation within the distribution chain.

He claimed that while refinery output remains stable, some marketers are allegedly creating artificial scarcity, resulting in inflated prices that do not reflect depot-level costs.

“We consider this exploitation. The refinery has not indicated any shortage, yet we are witnessing artificial scarcity and unjustifiable price increases,” Okonkwo stated.

Concerns over pricing were also echoed by Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Allen Onyema, following a closed-door meeting between AON and the Federal Government. He questioned the sharp escalation in Jet A1 prices despite comparatively lower supply costs from the Dangote refinery.

“The truth is that marketers must be called to account. How do prices rise by as much as 300 per cent when Dangote’s supply remains the cheapest and some marketers source directly from the refinery?” Onyema asked.

Meanwhile, industry data show that the Dangote Refinery exported about 876,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel to Europe within the review period, including approximately 456,000 tonnes in March and an additional 420,000 tonnes by April 20.

The development highlights the refinery’s expanding role in the global aviation fuel market, even as it continues to strengthen domestic supply security and Nigeria’s position in the international downstream oil and gas sector.