Aliko Dangote confirmed on Monday that his refinery has increased exports of petrol and fertilizer to African nations struggling with shortages triggered by the conflict in Iran. “We have the capacity,” Dangote stated, signaling the refinery's readiness to fill the supply gap.

He noted that the refinery has already dispatched approximately 17 shipments of petrol to different countries across Africa.

Urea fertiliser exports had also risen as customers looked for alternative sources of supply.

According to a Reuters report, Dangote shared these updates on Monday while hosting Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, UN, Amina Mohammed at his oil refinery and fertilizer plant in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.

He said: “What I can do is assure Nigerians … and most of West Africa, ​Central Africa, and East Africa, we have the capacity to supply them.

“In ⁠the last couple of days, we’ve been looking to mostly African countries, which we were not doing before,” he said, referring to the fertiliser shipments, without giving figures.

The refinery has capacity to produce up to 3 million metric ​tons of urea yearly, most of ⁠which is typically exported to the United States and South America, officials say.

Fuel prices have reached record-high ​levels in the country, as maximum output from Dangote ​Refinery has ⁠not offset the impact of high crude prices.

Dangote said the refinery hoped to get more crude cargoes priced in local currency to help curb fuel costs.