In 2025, several African countries faced severe fuel shortages, soaring energy costs, and widespread supply disruptions that affected national security, education, and economic stability.
Global market volatility, domestic political tensions, and infrastructure weaknesses exposed the continent’s heavy dependence on petroleum.
One of the most severe crises occurred in Mali, where gasoline scarcity quickly escalated into a national emergency.
In early September, al-Qaeda-linked rebels imposed an embargo on petroleum shipments, attacking convoys traveling to major towns, including Bamako, and causing widespread shortages that disrupted daily life.
By October, Italy issued a travel warning due to escalating security risks and the Malian government’s limited capacity to manage the crisis.
The fuel scarcity forced school closures, limited transportation options, and left many citizens stranded.
Elsewhere, Ghana also experienced fuel strain. In May, Energy Minister John Jinapor warned that the country had fewer than three days of liquid fuel to operate thermal power plants, highlighting the fragility of the energy sector and the potential for extensive blackouts if supplies were interrupted, as seen on Business Insider Africa.
Rising global fuel prices further increased electricity generation costs, putting both consumers and businesses under additional pressure.
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The Horn of Africa faced similar disruptions. Political tensions between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates led to the suspension of cargo movements at Port Sudan beginning in early August, hindering the flow of South Sudanese oil processed in Fujairah, one of the world’s busiest petroleum hubs.
The situation affected both Sudan and South Sudan, where government revenue and energy access heavily rely on uninterrupted oil transport, while major commodity traders like Vitol were also impacted.
Across Africa, fuel prices remained high throughout the year. The Central African Republic consistently recorded the continent’s most expensive fuel, while Zimbabwe, Malawi, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Cameroon, Uganda, Morocco, and Kenya frequently appeared in the top ten.
According to GlobalPetrolPrices data for December 2025, the global average fuel price remained stable at $1.29 per liter.
Prices in CAR, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Seychelles, Ivory Coast, and Kenya saw slight increases, while Malawi, Senegal, and Zimbabwe experienced minor decreases.
Morocco replaced Uganda in the top ten this month.
— Malawi ranked 12th globally, with the fuel cost of $2.014 per liter.
— Central African Republic ranked 23rd globally, with fuel priced at $1.883 per liter.
— Senegal ranked 43rd globally, with fuel costing $1.650 per liter.
— Zimbabwe ranked 49th globally, with a fuel price of $1.560 per liter.
— Burkina Faso ranked 51st globally, with fuel at $1.525 per liter.
— Cameroon ranked 53rd globally, with fuel priced at $1.507 per liter.
— Morocco ranked 54th globally, with a fuel cost of $1.505 per liter.
— Seychelles ranked 55th globally, with fuel costing $1.477 per liter.
— Ivory Coast ranked 56th globally, with fuel priced at $1.471 per liter.
— Kenya ranked 64th globally, with fuel costing $1.421 per liter.
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Image Credit: Business Insider Africa
