Prices at the pump are being updated since this morning in the Central African Republic, after the government’s decision to sharply increase fuel prices by 50 to nearly 80% depending on the product.
In detail, super gasoline goes from 865 to 1,300 CFA francs per liter (from 1.31 to 1.98 euros), diesel from 855 to 1,450 CFA francs (from 1.30 to 2.21 euros), and oil from 645 to 1,150 CFA francs (0.98 to 1.75 euros). These increases are announced three days after the wishes of the Head of State.
The decree was co-signed on Tuesday January 3 by the Ministers of Finance, Energy and Trade. The decision is constrained while the country has been experiencing severe shortages for almost a year. Although he has long refused to raise prices, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has recognized a “ catastrophic situation », « not sustainable ” and an “ thinking to do “. Revenues from oil taxation having melted in the year, from 1.8 billion to 80 million CFA francs per month, according to him.
An increase requested by distributors
An increase had been requested by distributors for months, due to the rise in world prices, and the high costs of importing hydrocarbons into this landlocked country lacking in infrastructure. They had moreover minimize their activityaccusing the government of not paying the subsidized part, ie the difference between the price at the pump and the actual price of fuel.
As a result, since March 2022, queues have continued to grow in front of service stations, while black market and the sale of roadside cut products have exploded. The new prices are now close to those offered by street vendors.
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