The Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s ambitious plan to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks for nationwide distribution has been slowed by logistics challenges in China. According to Business Insider Africa, only about 450 trucks have so far been delivered, with the remainder delayed by shipping disruptions.
The setback contrasts with earlier expectations that the full fleet would be operational from mid-August. According to Reuters, the 4,000 CNG trucks represent a ₦720 billion investment intended to enable the refinery to distribute petroleum products directly to end users, bypassing intermediaries.
Punch Newspapers confirmed that a shipping crisis has held up 3,550 trucks, leaving just 450 available for the refinery’s initial rollout. Industry observers note that administrative processes such as truck numbering are also contributing to delays. According to Daily Post, these bureaucratic hurdles may further slow the pace of deployment in the short term.
Despite the reduced rollout, the refinery has begun phased distribution using the available fleet. According to Vanguard, the trucks are designed to support a direct-to-market supply chain, a key strategy in reducing transport costs and improving efficiency in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.
Analysts say that while the disruption poses short-term challenges, the phased receipt of additional trucks in coming months will eventually allow the refinery to meet its full logistics target. According to Business Insider Africa, this capacity remains central to Dangote’s effort to reshape fuel distribution and reduce dependence on imported fuel trucks.
