Africa’s largest refinery, owned by billionaire Aliko Dangote, has ramped up shipments of gasoline and urea fertiliser to African countries struggling with supply shortages caused by the ongoing conflict in Iran.

During a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, Dangote said the plant is operating at full capacity, processing 650,000 barrels of crude per day. He highlighted the refinery’s role in stabilising fuel and fertiliser supplies not just in Nigeria but across West, Central, and East Africa.

The facility has exported about 17 gasoline cargoes in recent weeks to meet rising demand on the continent. Fertiliser exports have also been redirected to African markets that previously received few shipments.

“The priority has been to supply African countries that urgently need alternatives to traditional sources,” Dangote said. He added that the refinery can produce up to three million metric tonnes of urea annually, most of which was historically sent to the United States and South America.

Despite the increased production, fuel prices in Nigeria remain high due to global crude costs. Dangote said sourcing crude oil in naira could help ease local prices.

The Nigerian government has increased crude allocations to the refinery, with seven cargoes scheduled for May, up from five in previous months. Experts say while the higher output may improve supply stability, structural challenges in the energy sector could delay full benefits.

Rising regional fuel demand, limited refining capacity, seasonal consumption spikes, and increased transportation needs have all added pressure to supplies. The removal of fuel subsidies and deregulation of Nigeria’s downstream sector have further exposed domestic prices to international market fluctuations.