US Turns to Nigeria for Aviation Fuel as Dangote Refinery Disrupts Global Market

In a surprising shift, the United States has imported over two million barrels of aviation fuel from Nigeria’s Dangote refinery in March, raising questions about America’s energy dependence and the impact on its domestic fuel industry.

The refinery, in a statement on Tuesday, confirmed the exports, boasting of its “unparalleled quality” and the trust it has earned from the international market. Data from ship-tracking service Kpler revealed that six vessels carrying approximately 1.7 million barrels of jet fuel had already arrived at US ports, with another shipment of 348,000 barrels expected on March 29.

This move comes amid growing concerns about the competitiveness of US refiners, as Dangote’s 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery aggressively enters the global fuel market. Already, Dangote has disrupted European gasoline exports and recently shipped 130 million liters of jet fuel to Saudi Arabia.

Economist Dr. Muda Yusuf described the development as a “point of pride” for Nigeria, but analysts warn that it could challenge the economics of US domestic fuel producers. With Nigeria now supplying jet fuel to the world’s largest fuel-consuming nation, some critics are questioning whether the US is losing its energy dominance while Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, reshapes global fuel trade.