LAGOS, Sept 17 (AGCNewsNet) – Nigeria’s $19 billion Dangote refinery has exported its first gasoline cargo to the United States, a landmark move that positions Africa’s largest oil producer as an emerging player in the transatlantic fuel trade.

The 650,000-barrel-per-day facility—Africa’s biggest refinery—shipped about 320,000 barrels of gasoline aboard the tanker Gemini Pearl, which docked Monday at Sunoco’s terminal in Linden, New Jersey. The cargo was purchased by global trader Vitol and resold to Sunoco, with Geneva-based Mocoh Oil handling the trade logistics.

The delivery confirms the refinery’s output meets U.S. fuel quality standards, easing concerns among international buyers and paving the way for wider market access.

Momentum is already building. A second cargo, sold by Glencore to Shell, is due to arrive in the U.S. on Sept. 19, while another Vitol shipment is expected around Sept. 22. Though volumes remain undisclosed, analysts say the interest reflects robust demand for Dangote’s products across Atlantic markets.

For Nigeria, the refinery represents a game-changer—cutting reliance on costly fuel imports while unlocking new export revenues. Analysts say the plant could significantly boost foreign exchange reserves and cement Nigeria’s role as a regional refining hub.

Industry tracker IIR Energy reported that the gasoline production unit will undergo two to three months of maintenance, potentially slowing exports in the near term. Dangote Group has yet to comment publicly on the downtime.

Still, the refinery’s debut shipment to the U.S. marks a turning point in global energy flows, signaling the rise of new refining centers beyond traditional hubs in Europe, Asia, and the Gulf.

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