(JUBA) – South Sudan, along with other African nations, has faced rising fuel costs and energy disruptions in 2025, exposing the economy’s reliance on petroleum imports and regional stability. The Horn of Africa and Central Africa experienced supply bottlenecks, escalating prices and occasional shortages that affected households, businesses, and public services.
The Central African Republic reported the continent’s highest fuel prices, with Zimbabwe, Malawi, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Cameroon, Uganda, Morocco, and Kenya frequently appearing in the top ten. The global average fuel price held steady at $1.29 per litre, while prices in CAR, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Seychelles, Ivory Coast, and Kenya rose slightly. Malawi, Senegal, and Zimbabwe saw minor decreases. Morocco entered the top ten, replacing Uganda.
In West Africa, Mali faced one of the most severe fuel crises. In early September, al-Qaeda-linked rebels imposed an embargo on petroleum shipments, with convoys targeted en route to key towns, including Bamako. The scarcity caused schools and institutions to close, forced citizens to travel long distances for fuel, and prompted Italy to issue a travel warning due to heightened security risks and government incapacity to manage the crisis.
Ghana also experienced energy pressures. In May, Energy Minister John Jinapor warned the country had fewer than three days of liquid fuel to operate thermal plants, raising concerns of widespread blackouts. Rising global fuel prices added financial strain to electricity generation, impacting businesses and consumers.
In the Horn of Africa, regional tensions between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates disrupted oil transport through Port Sudan, critical for South Sudanese crude processed in Fujairah, UAE. The suspension of cargo movements from early August affected major trading firms, including Vitol, and exacerbated economic instability in Sudan and South Sudan, where government income and energy access depend on uninterrupted oil flow.
For South Sudan, ensuring reliable access to petroleum products remains essential not only for economic activity but also for social services and development projects, particularly in a context of regional instability and global market volatility.
This year’s trends also indicate the broader vulnerability of African energy markets and the importance of regional solutions to secure supply and manage costs.
