Abuja / Lagos, August 11, 2025 — In a groundbreaking move set to redefine fuel logistics in Nigeria, Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals Limited has commenced the phased receipt of 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks, poised to transform its nationwide fuel distribution strategy ahead of an official launch on August 15, 2025
A Strategic, Multi-Billion-Naira Investment
This massive initiative represents a N720 billion investment by the privately-owned refinery—the world’s largest single-train facility—highlighting its ambition to drastically reduce logistics costs and enhance supply efficiency for Nigerian fuel consumers .
The first batch of trucks was off-loaded from ships at Apapa Port and formally received at the refinery complex in Ibeju-Lekki by Devakumar Edwin, Vice-President of Oil & Gas at Dangote Industries Limited. The convoy’s arrival drew enthusiastic reactions from refinery staff and eager customers, many of whom witnessed the historic rollout in person .
Launch Timeline and Nationwide Rollout
Arriving in phases, the trucks will be part of an extensive rollout across more than six weeks, with approximately 60 shiploads expected to dock within that window . From August 15, Dangote Refinery will begin direct delivery of petroleum products—namely petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel—to filling stations, large-scale industrial consumers, and high-volume outlets across the nation .
Economic and Social Ripple Effects
This bold logistics overhaul is projected to put over N1.7 trillion back into the economy annually by slashing fuel distribution costs, traditionally averaging ₦45 per litre, which will now be absorbed by Dangote—translating into substantial savings for consumers .
Key beneficiaries include:
- Over 42 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), who will enjoy lower energy costs and improved profit margins .
- The broader downstream petroleum sector, which will benefit from reduced bottlenecks, enhanced transparency, and stronger energy security .
- The revival of dormant filling stations, generating over 15,000 direct jobs spanning drivers, station managers, and station attendants .
Environmental and Regulatory Alignment
The deployment aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s push toward gas-powered transport solutions. The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has celebrated the move as a landmark shift toward sustainable energy logistics .
Endorsements and Sector Support
- Tosin Coker, Commercial Coordinator for PCNGI, hailed the investment as both “impressive in scale” and “highly strategic,” reinforcing CNG’s practicality and market readiness .
- IPMAN (Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria) welcomed the development, noting that it relieves independent marketers from burdensome logistics costs and counteracts years of inaction in pipeline infrastructure .
- Renowned economists and energy analysts—including Professor Ken Ife, Bismarck Rewane, and Ibukun Phillips—have lauded the initiative for its potential to reduce fuel prices, democratise access across rural and urban areas, and bypass inefficient intermediaries .
What’s Next for Nigeria’s Fuel Distribution Landscape?
As the tanker fleet becomes operational post-August 15, Nigeria stands at the threshold of a renewed upstream-to-downstream transformation—one that promises affordability, accessibility, and cleaner energy logistics. The reverberations of this shift are expected to extend beyond the oil sector, underpinning broader industrial efficiency, inflation management, and inclusive economic development.
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