In a landmark move set to reshape Nigeria’s fuel logistics landscape, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced the deployment of 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tanker trucks for the nationwide distribution of petrol (PMS) and diesel, ahead of its official commercial rollout beginning August 15, 2025.
The initiative is part of the company’s strategic push to ensure steady, efficient, and environmentally friendly fuel distribution across the country, while directly addressing persistent challenges in the supply chain and rising transportation costs.
In a bold and market-disruptive move, Dangote is offering free logistics support for the nationwide supply of fuel. The deployment will target independent and major marketers, petrol station owners, manufacturing firms, telecom operators, aviation companies, and other high-volume users across Nigeria.
“This is more than just a commercial strategy, it is a national intervention to help lower fuel prices, reduce logistics costs, and make energy more accessible,” a spokesperson for Dangote Industries Limited said.
All 4,000 tankers are CNG-powered, underscoring Dangote’s commitment to sustainable and cleaner energy logistics. The refinery also plans to deploy over 100 additional CNG tankers and construct daughter booster stations to support the continued rollout of CNG infrastructure.
“This deployment aligns with Nigeria’s energy transition plan and our ambition to reduce carbon emissions while improving the efficiency of fuel distribution,” the spokesperson added.
To further support economic activity and ease capital pressures, Dangote has introduced a credit facility for bulk fuel buyers. Under the scheme, customers purchasing 500,000 litres of diesel or petrol will receive an additional 500,000 litres on a two-week credit, subject to bank guarantees.
This measure is expected to bolster small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), manufacturers, and other businesses that rely heavily on fuel for daily operations.
The rollout comes at a critical moment, as tanker drivers in Lagos protest against the recently implemented N12,500-per-truck “E-Call Up” levy by the state government. The protest has threatened to disrupt fuel loading operations at major depots.
Observers see Dangote’s timing as strategic, not only ensuring continuous distribution but potentially relieving the pressure on conventional supply chains that have become increasingly strained.
Analysts say the move will likely drive down fuel prices, reduce urban-rural supply imbalances, and open up opportunities for sustainable fuel logistics across Nigeria.
“This is a game-changer,” said energy economist Dr. Yusuf Adedayo. “The combination of free logistics, credit supply, and CNG-powered trucks presents a model that could stabilize the market and lead Nigeria into a more energy-resilient future.”
As Nigeria navigates post-subsidy realities and the push for energy diversification, Dangote Refinery’s deployment of 4,000 CNG tankers marks a transformative step in the country’s downstream oil and gas sector.
