A crucial diesel shipment from Asia arrived in Madagascar, offering relief from severe energy disruptions linked to conflicts in the Middle East.
Negotiated with Nigeria’s Sahara Group, the 63,000-cubic-meter cargo provides a vital lifeline as the country struggles with fuel shortages.
President Michael Randrianirina said the state power and water utility, Jirama, will have enough supplies to maintain stable operations for the next six months.
The shipment follows a nationwide state of emergency declared in April over severe fuel shortages.
In response, Madagascar’s National Assembly restructured the downstream petroleum sector by nationalizing all fuel imports.
Under the new system, a state-run procurement agency directly manages incoming fuel shipments, replacing private distributors that previously controlled the supply chains.
The move has triggered strong opposition from private distributors, including local units of TotalEnergies and commodities trader Vitol.
Tensions escalated when the government requisitioned a major oil-storage facility at the port of Toamasina.
The decision prevented private operators from unloading another tanker carrying diesel, unleaded fuel and kerosene.
Government officials defended the emergency measures, saying direct state control was necessary to prevent a wider energy crisis.