Dangote Refinery Overtakes US to Become Europe’s Biggest Jet Fuel Supplier

• Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has emerged as Europe’s largest supplier of jet fuel for June 2026, exporting more aviation fuel to the continent than the United States in a major milestone for the country’s refining industry.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has achieved another major milestone after emerging as Europe’s biggest supplier of jet fuel for the month of June 2026, surpassing exports from the United States.

According to a market report by S&P Global Commodity Insights, Nigeria exported about 466,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel to Europe in June, nearly double the 232,000 metric tonnes shipped in May.

The export volume is equivalent to approximately 582.5 million litres of aviation fuel, estimated to be worth about ₦757 billion based on an average price of ₦1,300 per litre.

The development marks another significant step in Nigeria’s growing refining capacity, driven largely by the Dangote Refinery, which began producing aviation fuel in 2024.

Dangote Surpasses the United States

The report showed that while Nigeria’s jet fuel exports to Europe continued to rise, shipments from the United States declined sharply over the same period.

US exports reportedly dropped from 818,000 metric tonnes in April to 560,000 metric tonnes in May, before falling further to 399,000 metric tonnes in June.

The decline allowed Nigeria, through the Dangote Refinery, to become Europe’s largest supplier of aviation fuel during the month.

Why Europe Is Buying More Nigerian Jet Fuel

Industry analysts said the increase in exports coincided with rising demand for aviation fuel during Europe’s busy summer travel season.

However, traders also noted that the European market is currently experiencing an oversupply of jet fuel as several refineries increased production while maintenance schedules were postponed to take advantage of higher prices.

One trader quoted in the report said:

“Jet is oversupplied because of high local refinery production. Refineries pushed back maintenance to make the most of the high prices. The US and Dangote also shipped large volumes. Now there are some flows resuming through the Suez, too, from the UAE, but let’s see how it goes.”

The report added that although jet fuel prices have declined significantly from their peak during the Middle East conflict, market conditions could change depending on developments around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes.

Nigeria’s Fuel Exports Continue to Rise

The latest achievement comes amid a broader expansion in Nigeria’s refined petroleum exports.

Earlier data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that the Dangote Refinery exported approximately 1.66 billion litres of refined petroleum products in April 2026 alone.

The exports included:

• 513 million litres of petrol
• 534 million litres of diesel
• 615 million litres of aviation fuel

Nigeria has also become a net exporter of petrol for the first time in decades, following a significant increase in domestic refining capacity.

Industry analysts say the latest figures further strengthen Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s fastest-growing refining and fuel export hubs as global energy supply chains continue to evolve.