Dangote Petroleum Refinery is encountering resistance in the European market after traders reported that recent diesel shipments did not meet the continent’s stringent winter specifications.
Samples from the refinery’s diesel shipments indicated sulfur levels of 36 parts per million (ppm), well above the EU’s winter limit of 10ppm. Following these findings, several European buyers have paused further purchases pending clarification.
Responding to the claims, Dangote Group spokesperson Anthony Chiejina described the reports as “misleading,” emphasizing that the refinery has not supplied winter-grade diesel to Europe. He clarified that the current exports are standard summer-grade products, which are not intended for cold-weather markets.
Meanwhile, trade data shows that approximately 97% of Dangote Refinery’s recent seaborne diesel exports have been absorbed within West Africa, highlighting a notable shift in regional trade flows as the refinery continues to expand operations and scale up production.
