Ethiopia Sources First African-Origin Fuel Cargo as ESL Returns to Import Role

June 15, 2026

Mintesinot Nigussie

Ethiopia has received its first petroleum shipment sourced from within Africa, marking a shift in its import geography and the return of Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics (ESL) to a more active role in handling fuel cargoes.

The cargo, loaded from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery terminal at Dangote Quays in Lekki, Nigeria, was delivered through a multi-vessel operation and discharged at the Horizon Oil Terminal in Djibouti, the main entry point for Ethiopia’s fuel imports.

As reported by Capital Newspaper, the shipment consisted of 80,000 metric tons of jet fuel and 40,000 metric tons of diesel, transported in three voyages using MV Kokolight, MT Mostar and MT Explorer.

The development reflects a broader diversification in Ethiopia’s procurement strategy, with the government expanding fuel sourcing beyond traditional supply routes into West Asia and ports in western India. The shift comes amid pressure on established logistics corridors and rising domestic demand, particularly for aviation fuel.

Jet fuel consumption has been rising in line with increased activity at Bole International Airport, which operates as one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs. Ethiopian Airlines’ expanding network has further intensified demand for steady and reliable fuel supplies.

The Nigerian shipment also marks a break with past sourcing patterns, becoming the first recorded import of African-origin petroleum products for domestic use since Ethiopia halted imports from neighbouring Sudan.

At the same time, it signals a notable institutional shift in logistics management. ESL has not directly handled petroleum imports for customers since around 1986, with the Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise (EPSE) serving as the primary importer for much of the past four decades.

The latest operation therefore places ESL back into a direct role in fuel import logistics, as Ethiopia adjusts both its supply sources and its import structure in response to changing demand dynamics.