Gabon: Diesel shortage in Libreville, motorists rationed and taxis at a standstill

Since September 30, 2026, motorists in Greater Libreville have been facing a diesel shortage that has emptied or led to rationing at the main service stations in the Gabonese capital, reports Gabon Review. The Ministry of Petroleum and Gas has announced a gradual return to normal starting October 4, according to Gabon Media Time.

Dry stations, from the north to the south of the city

Queues have formed at Charbonnages, Bessieux, La Peyrie, Supergros, the Hassan intersection, and the PetroGabon station at the Cité de la Démocratie. Where fuel remained, pump attendants limited each customer to about ten liters, or 5,000 CFA francs worth of fuel—a sum that does not cover half a day of work for a taxi driver, notes Gabon Review. On-site, explanations are lacking: "We have no idea about the origin of this shortage," a pump attendant confided to the Gabonese media outlet.

The school year and businesses affected

The shortage occurred right in the middle of the back-to-school period, disrupting school transport. Commercial activities have slowed down, and businesses that depend on generators have found themselves threatened in turn. Gabon Review notes that the lack of official communication during the first few days fueled exasperation as much as the shortage itself.

The authorities' response

According to Gabon Media Time, the Ministry of Petroleum and Gas attributed the supply disruption to the critical depletion of stocks held by distributors. State reserves managed by the SGEPP were made available to stations, in coordination with SOGARA, and temporary rationing was introduced to preserve the little fuel available. An import tanker was expected on the evening of October 3, 2026, paving the way for normalization the following day.

The paradox of producing countries

The scene is familiar in several oil-producing states on the continent: exporting crude oil while running out of fuel at the pump, due to insufficient refining capacity and unreliable import logistics. Value added is created elsewhere, and the African consumer suffers the disruptions. This is one of the most concrete imbalances of the extractive economy—and one of the most fixable, provided there is investment in local processing.

It remains to be seen whether the supply will hold beyond the arrival of this tanker. The people of Libreville are primarily waiting for a schedule for stock replenishment and a public explanation as to how reserves were allowed to fall so low.