The Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) has urged the government to tackle worsening fuel shortages, saying the crisis is placing an unsustainable burden on workers and households already struggling with rising living costs.
Black-market traders are selling fuel for as much as 20,000 Malawian kwacha per litre, compared with a regulated pump price of approximately 5,619 kwacha, the union said.
In a statement signed by Secretary General Charles Kumchenga, MCTU said the shortages were hurting workers, households, businesses and the wider economy.
It urged the government, through relevant ministries and agencies, including the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), to restore reliable fuel supplies nationwide.
The crisis comes as wages remain well below living costs, the union said, citing 2026 estimates from the Centre for Social Concern that a household needs about 959,522 kwacha a month to meet its basic needs. Many workers earn between 83,720 and 600,000 kwacha a month, depending on their sector and occupation, it added.
MCTU warned that fuel shortages could drive up the prices of essential goods and services, adding to inflationary pressures.
The consequences for Malawi’s economy could be severe if the situation persisted, it said, adding that workers could not continue absorbing fuel shortages and rising prices while their incomes remained largely unchanged.
The union outlined five demands, calling first for immediate government action to ensure adequate and consistent fuel supplies across the country.
It also urged decisive action against fuel hoarding, illegal trading and black-market pricing, saying these practices exploited vulnerable consumers.
MCTU called for stronger management and distribution of fuel supplies to ensure available stocks reached consumers fairly and transparently.
It also demanded regular public updates on fuel availability and the measures being taken to address the shortages.
Finally, the union urged the government to address the foreign exchange shortage, which it said was directly contributing to the fuel crisis.
Nigeria plans to offer discounted petrol at filling stations operated by state-controlled NNPC Limited for an initial 30 days, giving priority to public transport operators, Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele said on Thursday.
Speaking in Abuja, Oyedele said the measure would allow the government to sell petrol at cost.
“We are offering a discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC Limited for the next 30 days in the first instance with priority for public transporters nationwide,” he said.
He said the arrangement was not a subsidy.
The government also plans to sell crude oil forward to domestic refiners, with the duration and price yet to be determined, Oyedele said.
“That preserves your budget, provides certainty to the refiners and price stability to the consumers,” he said.
Oyedele said the government was negotiating a ceiling of 1,350 naira per litre for petrol at the ex-gantry level or on its landing cost to help stabilise fuel prices. The price would be reviewed monthly.
“Pump prices do not have to follow every swing in global crude prices or the exchange rate,” he said.
The federal government is also working with state governments to accelerate the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG), he added.
Oyedele urged transport operators to pass the savings on to passengers through lower fares.
The government would also consider an “excess profit tax” on operators who take undue advantage of consumers anywhere along the energy value chain, he said.
“The proceeds will be used exclusively to cushion the impact of fuel prices, through transport support or vouchers for urban minimum wage earners who are the most vulnerable,” he said.
Oyedele added that the government would work with the National Assembly to consider additional tax relief for low-income earners under the 2027 Finance Bill.
Members of the International Energy Agency (IEA) have released about 325 million barrels of oil under a collective action launched in March 2026, with some countries releasing more than they initially pledged, the agency said.
In a statement following a meeting on Wednesday, the Paris-based agency said member governments supported accelerating the remaining stock releases to complete the action as soon as possible.
They also backed prioritising diesel stock releases where possible, citing tightness in diesel markets.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to completing the March action and expressed support for the IEA’s response to the energy impacts of the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
They stressed the importance of the agency’s continued monitoring of the releases and provision of up-to-date market analysis.
Participants also welcomed a recent statement by G7 leaders on global energy security and market stability, including its emphasis on the free flow of energy trade.
The IEA said its members stood ready to release additional stocks if needed.
The agency’s secretariat will continue working with member governments to monitor implementation of the March action.
Member governments agreed to review the situation at the next scheduled meeting of the IEA Governing Board next week.
Global commodity trader Glencore delivered 1 million barrels of crude oil sourced from Tullow Oil to Ghana’s Sentuo Oil Refinery earlier this year for processing, a refinery official told Energy News Africa.
The official said the refinery had agreed with Glencore to secure regular supplies of locally produced crude to sustain its operations.
“It is not a one-off thing. It is going to continue,” the official said.
Tullow, which operates Ghana’s Jubilee and TEN oil fields, recently confirmed the arrangement during a virtual meeting with investors following the release of its half-year results.
Chief Financial Officer Richard Miller said the deal was agreed on commercial terms and described it as an important step for Ghana’s oil industry.
Financing arrangements had also been put in place to support the initiative and ensure the transactions were commercially viable, he said.
Miller said Sentuo had become an important buyer of Ghanaian crude, purchasing oil from Tullow and other partners in the country’s oil fields.
The development comes as Tullow expects to increase its crude oil liftings this year.
The company plans to lift 14 cargoes in 2026, comprising 11 from Jubilee and three from TEN. The Jubilee total is two cargoes higher than its November 2025 forecast.
Tullow lifted six cargoes in the first half of the year and expects to lift another eight in the second half.
The company said increased domestic crude sales could strengthen links between Ghana’s oil production and refining sectors as efforts continue to improve refinery operations.
South Africa plans to procure 9.6 gigawatts (GW) of battery storage and gas-to-power capacity under its Integrated Resource Plan 2025, Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said on Wednesday.
The allocation comprises 4,600 megawatts (MW) of battery energy storage systems and 5,000 MW of gas-to-power capacity to meet immediate needs for storage, flexibility and dispatchable electricity supply.
The first determination will make no provision for new wind or solar capacity, with allocations for those technologies to follow later, Ramokgopa told a briefing.
“A subsequent determination will address these technologies, including hybrid projects coupled with energy storage and longer-term pumped storage development,” he said.
Africa’s largest economy plans to add more than 105 GW of new generation capacity by 2039, according to the plan released last year. Renewable energy would account for more than half of the additions as the country gradually reduces its dependence on coal.
South Africa currently has five battery storage projects totalling 513 MW. Wider deployment of the technology would help the country make better use of wind and solar resources constrained by insufficient grid capacity, Ramokgopa said.
The country is also evaluating proposals from four shortlisted consortia bidding to develop 2 GW of gas-to-power capacity.
The Integrated Resource Plan provides for 16 GW of gas-fired capacity in the electricity mix by 2039.
Ghana’s refined petroleum product imports fell 12.67% in the first half of 2026 as domestic production increased, according to a report by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC).
Total imports declined to 2.79 million metric tonnes from 3.20 million tonnes a year earlier, a reduction of 405,148 tonnes, COMAC’s half-year industry report said, citing data from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
Ghana sources refined petroleum products from countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and Togo.
Total import volumes were lower in every month of the period, with February recording the largest decline.
Gasoil, or diesel, remained the largest imported product at about 48.6% of total imports. Gasoline, or petrol, imports totalled 1.11 million tonnes, accounting for 39.9%.
Together, the two products represented approximately 88.5% of refined petroleum imports.
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports reached 167,127 tonnes, while aviation turbine kerosene and fuel oil imports totalled 122,695 tonnes and 31,447 tonnes, respectively.
The report attributed the decline in imports to increased domestic refinery output.
Domestic production rose 350.7% to 719,414 tonnes in the first half of 2026 from 159,627 tonnes a year earlier. Output also increased 5.5% in the second quarter compared with the first.
Sentuo Oil Refinery drove the increase, producing 656,471 tonnes, or 91.3% of total domestic output, according to the report.
Ghana Gas Company Limited produced 37,455 tonnes, while Platon and Akwaaba contributed smaller volumes.
Gasoil and gasoline production reached 326,684 tonnes and 236,654 tonnes, respectively, together accounting for 78.3% of total output.
Production of aviation turbine fuel, residual fuel oil and condensate also increased. LPG output, however, fell 54% to 23,516 tonnes from 51,143 tonnes, with no production recorded in the second quarter.
The report said increased local refining was helping reduce dependence on imported gasoline and gasoil, although production remained heavily concentrated at Sentuo.
Ghana’s petroleum product exports more than doubled to 561,924 tonnes in the first half of 2026 from 276,413 tonnes a year earlier, an increase of 103.3%.
The country exports petroleum products to regional markets, including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
The second quarter accounted for 54.7% of half-year exports, compared with 45.3% in the first quarter.
Gasoil was the leading export product at 267,869 tonnes, followed by gasoline at 183,529 tonnes. Together, they accounted for 80.3% of total exports.
The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) and the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) have agreed to strengthen consultation and collaboration on issues affecting Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
The agreement followed a meeting between the two industry associations, COMAC said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
The discussions reaffirmed the importance of transparency and regular dialogue, with both associations agreeing to keep each other informed of their positions on significant industry matters.
“The Chambers agreed that, given their shared interest in the development of the downstream petroleum sector, it is important for each institution to be adequately informed of the other’s position on significant industry matters,” COMAC said.
Both associations also agreed to consult each other before taking positions on major issues, particularly those with wider implications for the sector.
They agreed to meet quarterly or every six months to discuss emerging developments, exchange views and identify opportunities for joint action.
Research, policy engagement and regulatory compliance were identified as key areas for collaboration.
The meeting also addressed challenges facing the sector, with both associations discussing possible solutions and agreeing on next steps.
Nigeria has launched its 2026 oil and gas licensing round, offering 40 blocks to investors, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said on Tuesday.
The commission’s chief executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, announced the round at its fifth anniversary ceremony in Abuja on October 6, following approval by President Bola Tinubu.
“The round offers 40 blocks across land, shallow water and deep-water terrains. They are open to investors with the technical competence, the financial capacity and, above all, the commitment to develop Nigeria’s petroleum resources,” Eyesan said.
She said the commission would publish details of the blocks, qualification requirements and participation procedures on its website and a dedicated licensing portal in the coming days.
Following recommendations from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the guidelines would set out the evaluation methodology in full, provide for more comprehensive publication of results and require all bidders to disclose their beneficial owners, she added.
“So, I invite qualified Nigerian and international investors to come and compete. Bring your best ideas, your best partners and your best bids. May the best bids win,” she said.
Speaking at the ceremony, themed “From Uncertainty to Stability: Unlocking the Next Phase of Investment”, Eyesan said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and executive orders issued by Tinubu had improved transparency and predictability in the upstream sector over the past five years.
She said the commission would prioritise regular licensing rounds, the restoration of shut-in production, progress on offshore investments and increased domestic gas supply.
“Our licensing will be regular and predictable. Our focus will be on what moves the numbers: restoring the more than 788,000 barrels per day of shut-in production identified across 63 operators; taking offshore projects valued at an estimated $30 billion to $50 billion to final investment decision; and raising domestic gas delivery from about two-thirds of the domestic obligation to full delivery,” she said.
The commission honoured former directors of the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources, its founding leadership and former National Assembly leaders who played key roles in the passage of the PIA, including former Senate President Ahmad Lawan and former House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
It also unveiled a special edition of its in-house magazine, “The Upstream Gaze”, and a documentary covering its first five years.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu at the event, while Nigeria’s OPEC governor, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, delivered a lecture.
Other attendees included Senate Committee on Gas Chairman Agom Jarigbe, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Group Chief Executive Bayo Bashir Ojulari, government agency heads and industry executives.
Ghana’s consumption of petroleum products rose 12.24% to 4.06 billion litres in the first half of 2026, while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) demand increased 16.93%, according to the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC).
The figures, contained in COMAC’s Analysis of Petroleum Product Volumes, H1 2026 report, show significant differences in LPG consumption across the country’s 16 regions.
Greater Accra remained the largest regional LPG market, with consumption increasing 5.85% to 53.49 million litres from 50.53 million litres a year earlier.
The Northern Region recorded a 210% increase in LPG consumption to 9.96 million litres in the first half of 2026, from 3.21 million litres in the same period of 2025 litres.
National petrol and diesel consumption increased 13.11% and 17.11%, respectively. Together, the two products accounted for more than 80% of total petroleum consumption.
Regional LPG trends
The Western Region recorded a 41.23% increase in LPG consumption to 19.89 million kilograms, from 14.08 million kilograms in the first half of 2025.
Consumption in the Eastern Region increased 20.79% to 13.85 million kilograms from 11.47 million litres.
In the Central Region, consumption rose 27.52% to 16.62 million kilograms from 13.04 million litres.
LPG consumption in the Volta Region rose 12.69% to 13.29 million kilograms from 11.80 million litres.
The Upper West Region recorded a modest increase to 11.32 million kilograms from 10.82 million kilograms, while Bono East’s consumption edged up to 6.24 million kilograms from 6.17 million litres.
Declines in some regions
LPG consumption in the Bono Region fell 32.51% to 5.48 million kilograms from 8.11 million litres.
The Upper East Region recorded a 6.40% decline to 5.12 million kilograms from 5.47 million litres.
In the Oti Region, consumption dropped 23.05% to 1.16 million litres from 1.51 million litres.
Growth in smaller markets
Several regions recorded sharp increases from relatively low starting volumes.
LPG consumption in the Savannah Region rose 76.41% to 708,390 kilograms from 401,570 litres in the first half of 2025.
Consumption in the Western North Region increased to 4.21 million kilograms from 2.11 million litres, while Ahafo’s consumption rose to 3.9 million litres from 3.70 million litres.
In the North East Region, consumption increased to 564,350 kilograms from 348,900 litres
Despite their strong growth, these smaller markets continued to consume substantially less LPG than Greater Accra and Ashanti.
Prices and supply
Demand increased despite higher fuel prices during the six-month period. Average pump prices rose above their January levels by 19.9% for petrol, 29.4% for diesel and 22.9% for LPG, COMAC said.
Ghana imported 3.43 billion litres of petroleum products during the period, down 12.67%, while domestic production increased 350.7% to 878.33 million litres, driven mainly by Sentuo Oil Refinery.
LPG stocks remained relatively tight, with available supplies equivalent to about 3.1 weeks of consumption, according to the report.
Tanzania’s energy regulator has raised fuel price caps for October, citing higher international refined petroleum product prices following renewed conflict in the Middle East.
The new prices will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) said in a public notice.
In Dar es Salaam, the retail price cap for petrol has been set at 4,057 Tanzanian shillings per litre, diesel at 4,086 shillings and kerosene at 4,067 shillings.
In Tanga, petrol will be capped at 4,123 shillings per litre, diesel at 4,152 shillings and kerosene at 4,133 shillings.
The corresponding caps in Mtwara are 4,170 shillings, 4,199 shillings and 4,180 shillings.
EWURA said renewed conflict in the Middle East in September had disrupted global oil production, availability and transportation, driving up refined product prices.
Tanzania purchases a large proportion of its petroleum products from the region, the regulator said.
Higher international prices have pushed the October price caps for petrol, diesel and kerosene above September levels. The notice did not provide the previous month’s prices or percentage increases.
The government continues to monitor the global oil market and take measures to maintain fuel supplies at affordable prices, EWURA said.
The regulator warned that traders who breach the prescribed pricing limits would face legal action. Oil companies may compete on price, provided they remain within the applicable price caps and floor prices.
EWURA also directed filling stations to display prices clearly and issue receipts showing the station’s name, purchase date, fuel type and price per litre.
Libya’s oil production has exceeded 1.4 million barrels per day this year, its highest level since 2013, National Oil Corporation (NOC) Chairman Musa’ud Sulaiman said.
Sulaiman attributed the increase to the rehabilitation of idle fields, drilling of new development wells, completion of projects, routine well maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.
He was speaking at the opening of the NOVA 2026 conference and exhibition in Benghazi.
Musa’ud Sulaiman, Libya’s NOC Chairman.
The event, running from October 5 to 7, focuses on exploration, development and digital transformation.
Libya, an OPEC member since 1962, has Africa’s largest proven oil reserves, Sulaiman said.
He highlighted exploration opportunities in the country’s sedimentary basins, particularly the Sirte Basin, and its strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea.
“Libya has promising oil potential, as it has the largest proven oil reserves in the African continent, in addition to the exploratory potential of the Libyan sedimentary basins, particularly the Sirte Basin, and the strategic location of Libya on the Mediterranean Sea,” he said.
Sulaiman said NOC remained committed to its short-, medium- and long-term oil and gas targets. Its priorities include diversifying energy sources, reducing gas flaring, developing natural gas transport infrastructure and encouraging international companies to resume operations in Libyan oilfields.
He said the conference provided a platform for NOC and its international partners to exchange expertise and explore opportunities for cooperation.
The NOC-sponsored event brought together oil company executives, industry experts and other participants.
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has shared its petroleum sector experience with a three-member delegation from the Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC), which is visiting Ghana to learn from the country’s industry and explore opportunities for cooperation.
The delegation is led by ENPC board member Dumezweni Dlamini and includes Chief Executive Nontombi Motsa and General Manager for Strategy and Communications Musa Shongwe.
The delegation is meeting GNPC, the Petroleum Commission and other institutions across Ghana’s petroleum value chain to learn about the country’s institutional, technical and commercial experience.
Motsa said ENPC wanted to understand how Ghana’s petroleum sector had evolved and identify areas for collaboration.
As Eswatini develops its petroleum sector and institutional capacity, she said, it could draw lessons from an African national oil company with relevant experience.
GNPC Chief Executive Kwame Ntow Amoah outlined the corporation’s development over four decades and key milestones in Ghana’s petroleum industry.
He explained that the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition provides policy direction, the Petroleum Commission regulates the upstream sector, and GNPC represents the state’s commercial interests and participates in petroleum operations.
Amoah said GNPC had performed broader sector functions in its early years, with those responsibilities changing as the industry matured.
He also outlined GNPC’s participation in upstream operations, its mandate as the national gas aggregator and its use of subsidiaries to develop expertise and expand its commercial activities.
GNPC’s strategy was to build a more integrated organisation, drawing on its expertise and commercial interests across upstream, midstream and downstream operations, he said.
Amoah identified sustaining output, reversing production declines and advancing exploration as key priorities. He said growing interest from major international energy companies pointed to renewed prospects for exploration and investment in Ghana.
Hamis Ussif, GNPC’s deputy chief executive for finance, commercial and administration, encouraged ENPC to develop an institutional structure suited to the current stage of Eswatini’s petroleum industry.
He stressed the need to establish institutional foundations before significant exploration and production activities begin. He also highlighted the growing role of natural gas in GNPC’s business, particularly in supplying power plants and industry.
Michael Aryeetey, deputy chief executive for exploration and production, said technical, commercial and institutional expertise should be developed alongside a strong local content framework and appropriate laws and regulations.
He said GNPC was ready to share its experience and provide technical assistance as ENPC develops its capabilities.
The engagement included a presentation on GNPC’s mandate, assets, organisational structure and medium- to long-term strategy.
Dlamini said the visit offered an opportunity to learn from African expertise and identify practices that could be adapted to Eswatini’s circumstances while strengthening ties between the two companies.
Algeria’s state-controlled energy company Sonatrach and Thailand’s PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday to explore joint investment opportunities in oil and gas exploration and production in Algeria and abroad, Sonatrach said.
The agreement also covers skills development, local content, innovation, the energy transition and new technologies.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the North Africa Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (NAPEC 2026) in Oran, Algeria.
Sonatrach said the agreement was signed by its chairman and chief executive, Nour Eddine Daoudi, and Mrs. Kanita Thanita Sartwattayu , Chairperson & Chief Executive Officer of PPTEP.
The agreement seeks to expand the companies’ existing partnership and identify opportunities across the oil and gas value chain.
PTTEP has operated in Algeria since 2002, participating in oil and gas exploration and development projects with Sonatrach.
The number of vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG) in Nigeria has risen to 120,000 from 11,000 in 2023, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo said on Monday.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Ekpo said the country aimed to increase the number to about 1 million by 2030 and establish up to 1,000 CNG refuelling stations nationwide.
Meeting the vehicle target would require an additional 880,000 CNG-powered vehicles over the next four years.
Outlining developments since taking office in 2023, Ekpo said utilisation of the country’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity had increased to about 87% so far in 2026 from 59% in 2023.
He said about 185 billion naira had been approved to settle verified legacy gas debts owed to upstream producers.
Nigeria is also seeking to expand access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to 5 million households by 2030, he said.
Contracts have been awarded to 42 companies to commercialise gas that would otherwise be flared, as part of efforts to end routine gas flaring by 2030.
Ekpo said Nigeria’s role in the 2026 Gas Exporting Countries Forum ministerial meeting and its admission as an association country of the International Energy Agency reflected its growing influence in the global gas sector.
“Our focus remains clear: raise gas production to 10 billion cubic feet per day in the near term and 12 billion cubic feet per day (BCF/D) by 2030, strengthen gas supply to power, expand domestic utilisation and ensure our gas resources deliver jobs, industrial growth, energy security and prosperity for Nigerians,” he said.
Nigeria’s gas reserves had increased to 215.19 trillion cubic feet from 208.83 trillion cubic feet in 2023, Ekpo said.
Average gas production had also risen to about 7.5 billion cubic feet per day from 6.86 billion, while domestic supply had exceeded 2 billion cubic feet per day.
Four major gas projects had reached final investment decisions, representing investment commitments of about $3.5 billion, he said.
Ekpo said the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund had used 671 billion naira in public funding to attract about 1.6 trillion naira in private investment across 31 projects and 205 infrastructure assets.
The OB3 pipeline was fully complete, with pre-commissioning concluded, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline was about 95% complete, he added.
