DRC Government Urges Oil Operators to Sustain Kinshasa Distribution
In a swift response to the city’s petroleum supply concerns, Minister of Hydrocarbons Didier Budimbu convened an urgent meeting on November 29, 2023. The focus: ensuring uninterrupted distribution of petroleum products across Kinshasa.
Budimbu rallied industry players, including representatives from the Ministries of Hydrocarbons, Finance, and the Presidency, alongside key companies in the supply chain.
The urgency stemmed from the need to prevent speculation, particularly heightened during the ongoing electoral campaign.
Clarifying the situation, Budimbu emphasized that the temporary disruption in Kinshasa did not equate to a shortage or storage issue. However, the Congolese Government annually allocates around $400 million to offset market price fluctuations in fuel.
Minister of Finance Nicolas Kazadi highlighted during a press briefing on November 28, 2023, that the decision to cover tanker shortfalls aimed to safeguard the population’s purchasing power.
Presently, oil sector operators are requesting substantial financial support from the Congolese Government to bolster ongoing fuel supply operations.
