Nigeria’s $2.57bn Leads African Crude Exports to the U.S. in 2025, With Volumes Set to Rise Further in 2026

Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s largest exporter of crude oil to the United States in the first eight months of 2025, a development that underscores growing relevance in the U.S. energy supply chain even as its domestic refining capacity expands and reshapes regional oil flows.

Data released by the U.S. Mission show that between January and August 2025, Nigeria shipped 33.23 million barrels of crude oil to the United States, valued at about $2.57 billion. The volume represented more than half of all crude oil exports from Africa to the U.S. during the period, placing Nigeria well ahead of other African producers supplying the American market.

In a post on its official X handle, the U.S. Mission described Nigeria as the leading African exporter of crude oil to the United States over the period, noting that the strong trade relationship “creates jobs and drives prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Strong exports despite shifting trade patterns

The strong export performance comes at a time of notable changes in Nigeria–U.S. petroleum trade. In a historic reversal earlier this year, Nigeria briefly imported more crude oil from the United States than it exported, according to figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This occurred in February and March 2025, reflecting a combination of reduced U.S. East Coast demand for Nigerian crude and rising domestic crude requirements within Nigeria.

EIA data show that U.S. crude exports to Nigeria climbed to 111,000 barrels per day in February and 169,000 b/d in March. Over the same period, U.S. imports from Nigeria dropped to 54,000 b/d and 72,000 b/d, respectively, from 133,000 b/d in January. The shift highlighted how quickly Nigeria’s oil trade dynamics are evolving as local refining capacity expands.

Dangote Refinery and the transition to refined exports

At the center of this transition is the Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest, with a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. The refinery began processing crude oil in January 2024 and is expected to reach full capacity soon. Its growing appetite for crude has altered Nigeria’s internal supply balance, temporarily reducing export volumes at certain points while increasing imports to optimize feedstock blends and logistics.

Looking ahead, analysts expect Nigeria’s crude exports to the U.S. to rise again in 2026, as the Dangote Refinery expands its markets for refined petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

The expansion of refined product exports is also expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuels, free up foreign exchange, and improve the overall efficiency of the oil sector. For the U.S., increased imports of Nigerian refined products would add another layer to the energy relationship, shifting part of the trade from crude-only flows to higher-value petroleum products.

However, Nigeria’s position as the top African crude supplier to the U.S. reinforces its strategic role in transatlantic energy trade at a time when global oil flows are being reshaped by geopolitics, refinery closures in parts of the West, and changing demand patterns. Nigerian crude, which is relatively light and low in sulphur, remains attractive to U.S. refiners seeking flexibility and cleaner feedstocks.

For Nigeria, sustained demand from the U.S. provides a critical source of foreign exchange and revenue, supporting public finances and investment in upstream production, pipelines, and export terminals. It also strengthens bilateral economic ties, opening the door to deeper cooperation in energy infrastructure, technology, and downstream investments.

More broadly, the 2025 export figures point to the resilience of Nigeria’s oil sector despite persistent challenges, including production disruptions, security concerns, and global price volatility. Crude oil production has notably increased over the past year, with about 2mbpd being targeted in 2026.