To ensure its supply of petroleum products, Cameroon has retained the international traders Mocoh, Vitol, and Cleveland Overseas LTD for the second quarter of 2026. This decision marks a return to an import system relying on international traders, under the coordination of the Hydrocarbon Prices Stabilization Fund (CSPH), amid persistent tensions in the global energy market.
This reorientation was decided at a meeting held on March 13, 2026, under the aegis of the CSPH. This meeting made it possible to urgently initiate consultations to select the operators responsible for supplying the national market with fuel from April to June.
The authorities chose Mocoh and Vitol for super gasoline, with a cumulative volume of 200,000 metric tons to cover the country's needs over the quarter. The gasoil market was awarded to Cleveland Overseas LTD, for a volume of approximately 220,000 metric tons over the same period.
This recourse to international traders comes in a context of high volatility. The conflict that began at the end of February 2026 led to a sharp increase in refined products on international markets, increasing supply costs for importing countries. For example, regular gasoline (US Gulf Coast) jumped 72.8% between February 27 and April 3, 2026, from $703 to $1,214 per ton. Ultra-low sulfur diesel increased from approximately $764 to $1,378 per ton over the same period.
The CSPH, created in 1974, is tasked with regulating the prices of petroleum products and ensuring the supply of the national territory. It mitigates the effects of global market fluctuations on pump prices. In crisis situations, it can cover part or all of the price increases.
In this context of uncertainty, Cameroon is relying on international traders to secure its supply and maintain control over import conditions, while rising prices put pressure on the petroleum sector. The country seeks to avoid shortages and control costs, in a global context marked by geopolitical tensions and disruptions to supply chains.
Mocoh, based in Geneva, presents itself as a major player in energy trading and supply in Africa. The company emphasizes its local roots and its expertise on the continent. Vitol is also a leading international trader in the energy sector.
The price of gasoline in Cameroon was 840 FCFA per liter on March 30, 2026. This price has remained stable thanks to the action of the CSPH, despite international fluctuations.
