Nigeria suspends petrol import permits as Dangote Refinery boosts domestic supply

In a landmark move for local refining, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has suspended the issuance of new petrol import licences, citing improved domestic production that now meets the country’s consumption needs.

According to the regulator’s February 2026 report, the Dangote Refinery supplied an average of 36.5 million litres of petrol per day, drastically cutting the need for imports, which fell to just 3 million litres daily the lowest in the past year. Overall, total petrol supply for February stood at 39.6 million litres per day.

The NMDPRA explained that the decline in imports, coupled with strong local production, prompted the decision to halt new licences.

Analysts say this move strengthens Nigeria’s energy independence and marks a win for local investors in the refining sector.