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Dangote Refinery emerged as the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, driven by rising output levels and disruptions in global fuel trade flows linked to the Middle East conflict.

The development was disclosed in a recent S&P Global Energy report featuring comments from the refinery’s chief executive officer, David Bird, during an interview conducted at the facility in Nigeria.

The report highlighted how changing global supply patterns increased demand for alternative aviation fuel suppliers, positioning Dangote Refinery as a major beneficiary of the disruption.

The S&P Global Energy report showed that jet fuel became a major driver of export growth in April as global supply disruptions redirected aviation fuel trade patterns across key markets.

According to S&P Global Commodities at Sea data, the refinery became the world’s largest exporter of aviation fuel in April after the Middle East conflict disrupted established supply routes.

The report also noted that the refinery is transitioning toward a merchant refining model where it actively trades crude and refined products in international markets rather than operating solely as a domestically focused processor.

The refinery is expanding its crude slate beyond Nigerian light sweet crude to include heavier grades and residue blends, with the capability to process around 40 different crude types and plans to increase this number over time. The move forms part of a broader strategy to position the company as a global trader of crude and refined products.

Bird added that the long-term vision is to transform the Lekki Free Zone into a major industrial and energy hub driven by refining, petrochemicals, and export logistics integration.

The Middle East conflict involving the United States, Iran, and Israel disrupted global energy markets after Iran threatened and intermittently restricted movements around the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route that handles roughly 20% of global oil and fuel trade.

The disruption tightened global fuel supply chains and increased international jet fuel prices, creating opportunities for alternative suppliers outside the Middle East.

The refinery also announced that it transitioned Jet A1 transactions from a dollar-based pricing structure to naira-denominated sales as part of efforts to stabilise supply and reduce pressure on domestic airline operators.