Nigeria’s Fuel Exports Rise as West Africa Pushes Common Standards

Petroleum regulators from Nigeria, Ghana and The Gambia are calling for common fuel standards, stronger testing capacity and improved storage facilities to make cross-border petroleum trade easier in West Africa. At the 20th OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos, the regulators said differences in fuel specifications, limited laboratories and weak infrastructure were slowing regional trade. Nigeria’s downstream regulator noted that diesel sulphur limits vary widely across markets, making product comparison and fair competition difficult. Ghana highlighted port and storage constraints, while The Gambia said it needs a laboratory to test petroleum products. The officials urged regional bodies and national regulators to set clear timelines for harmonising standards. The push comes as Nigeria’s refined petroleum exports reportedly reached about 55 million litres daily in the second quarter of 2026, while imports fell below 20 million litres daily. The presentation also said the Dangote refinery supplied 71 per cent of petrol received in the domestic market in August 2026.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.