By: Reuters

Nigeria's Dangote Refinery says it has increased exports of gasoline and urea to African countries hit by supply disruptions caused by the Iran war.

Africa’s largest refinery has been operating at its maximum capacity of 650,000 barrels a day.

Owner Aliko Dangote - Africa's richest man - said the facility had shipped around 17 cargoes of gasoline to other African nations to cushion the impact of the crisis.

"The challenges are many. One is of urea, which is fertilizer that we have. I think in the last couple of days, we've been loading to mostly African countries, which we are not doing before. And then now is to do with also petroleum products, which we are now sending mainly to, you know, African countries."

Exports of urea fertilizer have also risen, as buyers seek alternative sources for the product, much of which normally comes from the Middle East. 

Officials say the refinery can produce up to 3 million metric tons of urea annually, most of which is typically exported to the United States and South America.

But despite the refinery running at maximum output, industry figures show fuel prices in oil-producing Nigeria have reached record highs. 

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, on a visit to the facility, outlined the UN’s role in alleviating challenges in the region:

"I think the UN's job here is to amplify and to put visibility on the possibilities of mitigating a food security crisis, and this is one of them. I hope that we, when we go back, that we can continue to talk to the partners that will partner, the countries that should partner with the Dangote industries."

Dangote said the refinery also hopes to secure more crude cargoes priced in local currency to help curb fuel costs.