By: ThinkBusiness Africa
Nigeria shipped 33.23 million barrels of crude oil to American shores between January and August this year. The total value of these exports reached $2.57 billion, more than 50% of all African crude oil exports to the U.S. during this period. The United States (U.S) mission in Nigeria said on Tuesday.
August saw the highest monthly delivery of 4.49 million barrels.This volume solidifies the West African nation’s position as the dominant energy powerhouse in Africa, emerging as the leading exporter of crude oil to the United States for the first eight months of 2025.
The surge is largely attributed to the sustained demand for Nigeria’s “light sweet” crude grades, such as Bonny Light and Qua Iboe. These grades are highly prized by U.S. East Coast refiners because they are low in sulfur and easier to refine into high-value products like gasoline.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
The record oil exports come as non-oil exports face significant US tariffs. In August, the U.S. government implemented a “reciprocal” tariff regime, raising duties on certain Nigerian goods from 14% to 15%.
While crude oil was exempted from these hikes, non-oil exports plummeted by over 45% in the third quarter, aside for agricultural products. The US said earlier in December, that agricultural trade with Nigeria doubled to over $700 million in 2025.
Perhaps the most striking development of 2025 is the two-way flow of oil. While Nigeria led Africa in exports to the U.S., it also saw a 153% surge in oil imports from the U.S. due to the Dangote refinery.
The Dangote Refinery, now operating at near-full 650,000 barrel production capacity, has become a major buyer of American WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that in mid-2025, the refinery was importing roughly 370,000 barrels per day of U.S. crude to blend with local grades for optimal output.
For the first time in years, the Nigeria-U.S. trade balance has swung into a deficit for Nigeria. Despite the $2.57 billion in oil revenue, a massive surge in imports—ranging from U.S. machinery to crude oil for local refining—pushed Nigeria’s trade deficit with the U.S. to approximately N3.15 trillion (over $1.9B) by the end of Q3 2025.
