The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has imported crude oil from the United Arab Emirates for the first time as it seeks to maintain operations amid continued shortages in domestic crude supply.

According to industry reports, the refinery purchased two cargoes of UAE crude, marking its first crude imports from the Middle East. The move expands the refinery’s range of supply sources, which has previously included crude from Nigeria, the United States and several African producers.

The decision comes as the refinery faces ongoing difficulties in securing enough locally produced crude oil. Analysts say the limited availability of domestic supplies has forced the company to look beyond its traditional sources to keep its refining activities running smoothly.

The latest purchase also follows improved stability in the Middle East after an interim agreement between the United States and Iran eased concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The development has increased the availability of crude exports from the Gulf region and reopened trade routes that had previously faced disruptions.

Although the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery was designed to process Nigeria’s light sweet crude, it has increasingly diversified its crude supply as it ramps up production. In recent months, the facility has also sourced crude from countries including Angola, Ghana, Libya and Guyana.

The refinery’s latest procurement highlights the challenges facing Nigeria’s refining sector, where inconsistent domestic crude supply continues to push operators to seek alternative feedstock from international markets.