Dangote Refinery Expands Into East Africa, Intensifying Regional Fuel Supply Competition

The Dangote Group’s 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Nigeria, backed by billionaire Aliko Dangote, is aggressively expanding fuel exports into East Africa, challenging established suppliers in the region as of late May 2026. The move pits the mega-refinery against legacy importers, threatening to reshape supply chains and potentially lower fuel prices for consumers in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Dangote, speaking on May 29, 2026, described the expansion as a step toward a pan-African energy network. The refinery, which began operations in 2024, has already transformed Nigeria’s domestic fuel market. Its entry into East Africa marks a new phase of cross-continental competition among oil producers and traders.