Nestlé Nigeria Plc has been awarded the highest level of Authorised Economic Operator certification by the Nigeria Customs Service. The company received security and safety status under the programme, which is valid for five years and recognises compliance with trade regulations and supply chain security standards.

The certification followed an evaluation process that included customs audits and on-site operational assessments. Out of 391 applications received nationwide, only 35 companies were granted full certification, with fewer achieving the security and safety status.

At the presentation in Abuja, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, said the certificates reflect that compliance is achievable even within challenging business environments.

For Nestlé Nigeria, the AEO Security and Safety status is expected to support faster customs clearance, reduced inspections at ports and warehouses, improved material availability, and better engagement with regulators and trade partners.

Commenting on the certification, Supply Chain Manager Kasum Diabate said it reflects the company’s structured approach to operations and reinforces the reliability of its supply chain.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has warned that continued reliance on coastal delivery of petroleum products could push petrol prices close to N1,000 per litre in Nigeria.

The company stressed that its preferred gantry loading remains the most efficient and cost-effective method to ensure price stability for consumers.

The refinery, in a statement on Thursday, explained that its position is supported by sustained investments in critical infrastructure, including a “world-class gantry facility” with 91 loading bays capable of loading up to 2,900 tankers daily.

Operating on a 24-hour basis, it said the facility can evacuate over 50 million litres of premium motor spirit, 14 million litres of diesel, and other refined products each day.

While acknowledging that coastal loading is an option where logistics require, the refinery emphasised that gantry evacuation eliminates additional costs.

“Direct gantry evacuation eliminates port charges, maritime levies and vessel-related costs that do not add value to end users, helping to optimise costs, improve distribution efficiency and support price stability,” the company stated.

It also clarified that marketers are free to choose their preferred mode of evacuation, with PMS and other refined products available at competitive gantry prices.

“However, reliance on coastal delivery, particularly within Lagos, may introduce avoidable costs with material implications for fuel pricing, consumer welfare, and overall economic well-being. In our opinion, coastal logistics can add approximately N75 per litre to the cost of petrol, which, if passed on to consumers, would push the pump price of PMS close to N1,000 per litre,” the refinery said.

The company further estimated that sustained dependence on coastal logistics could impose an additional annual cost of roughly N1.75tn, based on Nigeria’s average daily consumption of about 50 million litres of PMS and 14 million litres of diesel.

It warned that this cost would ultimately be borne by producers or Nigerian consumers.

Dangote refinery also renewed calls for coordinated investment in pipeline infrastructure nationwide. It argued that functional pipelines linking refineries to depots would significantly cut distribution costs, improve supply reliability, and strengthen national energy security.

Addressing allegations that it imports finished petroleum products, the refinery described such claims as misleading.

“While our Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit is currently undergoing maintenance, we only import intermediate feedstock in line with global industry practice. We challenge anyone with credible evidence of finished product importation to present it to the appropriate regulatory authorities. Such claims are often driven by interests seeking to justify continued dependence on fuel imports,” the refinery reiterated.

Explaining the benefits of domestic refining, the company noted that since operations began, diesel prices have fallen from about N1,700 per litre to between N980 and N990, while PMS prices have dropped from around N1,250 per litre to between N839 and N900.

It added that increased local supply has sharply reduced fuel importation, eased foreign exchange pressures, and contributed to a stronger naira, recently trading at about N1,385 to the dollar.

The refinery concluded by urging marketers, regulators, and policymakers to support logistics and distribution decisions that align with national economic interests, protect consumers, and sustain the long-term benefits of domestic refining.

Savannah Energy Plc, has released its financial and operational update on its Nigerian operations and other markets in Africa, including up-to-date cash collections in its Nigerian business.

The report also shows that its cash collections in Nigeria increased by over 12 per cent to US$278.0 million, compared to the previous year’s US$248.5 million, with the trend continuing into 2026 with cash collections during January 2026 at over US$64.4 million, compared to US$20.4 million in January 2024.

The update shows that its gross production in Nigeria averaged 18.8 Kboepd for 2025, of which 83 per cent was gas.

Following the completion of the SIPEC Acquisition in March 2025, it had commenced an 18-month expansion programme that saw it Stubb Creek average gross daily production increase to 3.0 Kbopd in 2025, approximately 13 per cent above the 2024 average.

According to the report, Savannah’s Total Revenues for FY 2025 stood at US$235.0 million, compared to US$258.9 million in FY 2024. As at 31 December 2025, its cash balances stood at US$39.5 million, compared to US$32.6 million in FY 2024, with a net debt US$655.9 million, compared to US$636.9 million as at 31 December 2024.

It also reported a Gross debt US$698.4 million as at 31 December 2025, of which only US$39.0 million (6%) was recourse to the Company, with the balance sitting within subsidiary companies on a non-recourse basis. Its Trade Receivables balance as at 31 December 2025 stood at US$507.2 million, a 6 per cent improvement on year-end 2024’s US$538.9 million.

Savannah also reported that it has made significant progress in refinancing its debt facilities.

It reports that following the previously announced increase in the Accugas debt facility from NGN340 billion to up to approximately NGN772 billion as at 31 December 2025, there was a remaining principal balance under the US$ Facility of approximately US$2 million, which has been repaid in early 2026.

Savannah also provided new updates on its Uquo NE development well, the Uquo South exploration well, and the new compression system at the Uquo Central Processing Facility, It reports that site construction on the Uquo NE development well is expected to be completed this month, with the rig ready for deployment, and mobilisation scheduled over the next few weeks, with first gas from the facility targeted by the end of Q2 2026. Well site preparation has also commenced on the Uquo South exploration well.

According to the company, the newly completed and fully commissioned compression system at the Uquo Central Processing Facility which was delivered safely and approximately 10 per cent under the original US$45 million budget, will enable it to maximise production from its existing and future gas wells.

It also announced signed a gas contract extension agreement with the Central Horizon Gas Company Limited to end December 2026 for up to 10 MMscfpd.

On the renewable energy front, Savannah, which had in 2025 repositioned its power sector business model to pursue operating asset opportunities in both the thermal and renewable energy spaces alongside interests in large scale renewable energy development projects, said it has set itself the target of completing its proposed acquisition of indirect interests in three East African hydropower projects by H1 2026. The assets include the 255 MW Bujagali power plant, with a 13-year operating and payment track record, and two advanced-stage development projects, marking Savannah’s potential for entry into five new countries – Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi and Rwanda.

It is also continuing to progress its existing priority Power Division projects, including the up to 250 MW Parc Eolien de la Tarka wind farm project in Niger and the up to 95 MW Bini a Warak hybrid hydroelectric and solar project in Cameroon.

In Niger, its subsidiary is considering commencing a four-well testing programme and/or a return to exploration activity in the R1234 PSC contract area in 2026/27, subject to a satisfactory agreement being reached with the country’s government.

Andrew Knott, CEO of Savannah Energy, said, “2025 was a year of execution for Savannah with good progress delivered across the nine focus areas we set out at the start of the year. In Nigeria, we increased our rate of cash collections year-on-year by 12%, a trend which we hope to continue into 2026, and have made significant progress in refinancing our debt facilities.

In our Hydrocarbons Division, the completion of the SIPEC acquisition in March enabled us to commence an expansion programme at Stubb Creek, increasing 2025 production materially above 2024 levels. At Uquo we delivered the new compression system under budget and advanced site construction ahead of the planned commencement of drilling of the new Uquo NE well. During the year, we also announced a 21% 2P Reserves upgrade at the Uquo gas field and a 29% upgrade to Stubb Creek oil field 2P Reserves. In Niger, we remain actively engaged with the Government on future activity, with the R3 East development plan significantly enhanced during the year.

In the power sector, we repositioned our business model and advanced both operating and development opportunities, including the proposed acquisition of interests in three East African hydropower projects, which is targeted for completion in H1 this year. We have also continued to progress on our wind, solar and hydro portfolio. Alongside this, we continue to pursue further value-accretive acquisitions across both hydrocarbons and power, with several other opportunities under active discussion.

We also continued to progress our arbitration claims, with the Savannah Chad Inc (“SCI”) and Savannah Midstream Investment Limited (“SMIL”) proceedings currently expected to be concluded in the first half of 2026.

Overall, this progress provides a strong platform for continued delivery in 2026.”