The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) raised fuel prices across all four of its domestic supply zones this week, citing sustained disruption to international refined petroleum markets driven by the ongoing Middle East crisis.
The Petroleum Products Price Monitoring Committee, or CSPPP, approved the new pricing structures on April 15-16, following two days of technical meetings with industry operators, according to a press communique issued April 16 by the Ministry of National Economy in Kinshasa.
The CSPPP approved pump price increases of roughly 8% for both gasoline and diesel in the West and North zones, bringing prices to about 2,635 Congolese francs and 2,640 Congolese francs ($0.92) per liter, respectively.
Price levels in the South and East zones, which carry higher costs because of longer supply chains and infrastructure constraints, were set between 3,930 Congolese francs and 5,600 Congolese francs ($1.35 to $1.93) per liter, depending on product and zone.
Miners operating in the South face a separate dollar-denominated structure, with diesel fixed at $3.12 per liter and gasoline at $2.55, figures the committee said reflect local market conditions and the logistical demands of petroleum supply to that zone.
To ease cash-flow pressures on distributors, the government will extend advance-payment facilities to commercial companies, backed by sector ministries.
The committee also endorsed anticipatory advance payments within the quarterly certification process, acknowledging treasury constraints linked to current market conditions.
The meetings brought together major industry operators, including TotalEnergies, Petrocam, Sonahydroc and SEP Congo, along with representatives from the presidency, the prime minister’s office and the ministries of hydrocarbons, finance and portfolio.
