Nigeria's NMDPRA proposes anti‑competitive rules for fuel sector

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), acting on behalf of the Federal Government, has released draft Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Prevention of Anti‑Competitive Practices and Behaviour Regulations for 2026. The proposal would ban horizontal agreements such as price fixing, market allocation and production limits, as well as vertical arrangements that lead to resale price maintenance, market foreclosure or tying in the midstream and downstream petroleum value chain.

The draft follows allegations that major fuel importers were selling imported Premium Motor Spirit at coordinated prices well above those of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The NMDPRA has opened a 21‑day public consultation, inviting licence holders and other stakeholders to submit comments. A stakeholder forum is scheduled for 22 September 2026 at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja.