Mali Unclogs Fuel Supply with 54-Million-Litre Surge
In a significant breakthrough, Mali has finally begun to ease its severe fuel shortage, thanks to an influx of over 54 million litres of petroleum products in just ten days. This monumental effort marks a crucial step towards ending the crisis that has crippled the economy and daily life for weeks.Massive Import Effort
The surge in supply was made possible by an unprecedented mobilization of 1,192 tanker trucks in January. Among them were 875 trucks that delivered over 40 million litres between January 12-18, followed by a further 317 trucks bringing in an additional 14.4 million litres shortly after.
Impact on Service Stations and Queues
The increased imports have led to a notable increase in service station refueling rates, reaching as high as 53.9% during the first wave. This has resulted in a visible reduction in long queues that had become a common sight in Bamako and other major urban centres in recent weeks.
Structural Challenges Remain
Despite this improvement, officials and industry professionals acknowledge persistent systemic issues. A recent coordination meeting between the government and petroleum groups highlighted ongoing challenges related to rationing, logistics, and the urgent need to establish a commercial security stockpile to prevent future shocks.
Building Reserves for Future Stability
With the high-consumption period of Ramadan approaching, Minister of Industry and Commerce Moussa Alassane Diallo emphasized the strategic priority of creating fuel reserves. This measure is seen as essential for transitioning from crisis management to ensuring long-term market stability for Mali's economy and citizens.
The influx of 54 million litres of petroleum products has brought much-needed relief to Mali, but it's clear that more work needs to be done to address the underlying structural issues. As the country looks towards a brighter future, one thing is certain – the people of Mali will not be held back by fuel shortages again.
