In a stunning pivot driven by geopolitical pressure, India has slashed its Russian oil imports and turned to Nigeria — Africa’s top producer — as a key energy partner.
Between September and October 2025, Indian refiners are set to receive over two million barrels of Nigerian crude, signaling a major realignment in global energy trade. Once Russia’s biggest oil customer after the West imposed sanctions over the Ukraine war, India is now reacting to mounting U.S. pressure. In late July, former President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods, from 25% to 50%, linking them directly to New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The result: a rapid diversification of India’s oil suppliers. The Indian Oil Corporation has secured Nigerian Agbami crude via global trading firm Trafigura, while Bharat Petroleum has made spot purchases, adding barrels from Angola, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Nigerian crude, valued for its low sulfur content, suits India’s refineries, which produce vast volumes of gasoline and diesel. Ironically, while Nigeria exports crude to India, its own Dangote Refinery — the largest in Africa — is importing oil from the U.S., exposing the complexity of global energy logistics. The move also underscores a deeper strategic shift. India’s foreign ministry maintains a “steady and time-tested partnership” with Russia but acknowledges global conditions are changing. India’s sudden shift away from Russia, driven by U.S. economic pressure, has exposed major cracks in BRICS unity and embarrassed Moscow. Facing urgent oil export issues, Russia is now forced to find new markets. The situation highlights the stark contrast between Russia’s global ambitions and the persistent dominance of the U.S.-led order.