Dangote stops petrol sales to fuel importers

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has ceased selling Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to major marketers who import petroleum products into Nigeria. An official confirmed the decision, stating that the refinery would no longer sell petrol to those blending Dangote fuel with imported grades. The refinery is now selling its petrol to members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and other marketers not known for importing.

Some marketers went to court to challenge the refinery's restriction, fearing they would be left stranded without import licenses. The move aims to prevent low-quality imported petrol from being mixed with Dangote's high-quality product, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. Importers and petroleum marketers have criticized the restriction, arguing that it is an attempt to block imports.

They claim that Dangote is trying to prevent the importation of petrol, which they believe should be up to consumers to decide whether to combine products from different suppliers. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority is also considering the issue, with mixed opinions on the necessity of imports when domestic production drops.