In Sankuru, specifically the Lodja market, the price of a liter of gasoline has risen from 3,200 to 5,000 CDF, marking the first increase in fuel prices by 140 CDF in the West zone since the beginning of 2023.
The latest fuel price adjustments are as follows: the price of a liter of fuel oil has been raised to 2,985.00 CDF from 2,845.00 CDF, while gasoline now costs 2,995.00 CDF compared to the previous price of 2,855.00 CDF. The price of a liter of oil remains unchanged at 2,450.00 CDF, while the price of a liter of gas has increased to 4,831.57 CDF from 4,780.00 CDF.
These new tariffs are in accordance with Order No. 002, issued on June 7, 2023 by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the National Economy, which sets the prices of land fuels in the West zone.
It is important to note that these prices are still significantly below the actual cost, with the government subsidizing the difference through its oil subsidy policy. In 2022, this subsidy amounted to over 400 million USD from the Public Treasury.
In terms of percentage variation, the recent fuel price increase in the West zone stands at approximately 4.88%, which falls below the agreed-upon 5% threshold between the Provincial Government and taxi drivers to mitigate the impact on public transport.
According to industry experts, this price increase is beneficial for oil companies that have been operating at a loss in the current international crisis. It is expected that this measure will help alleviate the upward trend of the Congolese Government’s oil subsidy, albeit slightly. Additionally, it aims to ensure the availability of fuel stocks and maintain regular sales at the pumps, preventing shortages.
