Ghana: BOST reduces fuel exports to Burkina Faso and Mali

BOST Energies, the public fuel distributor in Ghana, has reduced its diesel and gasoline exports to Burkina Faso and Mali since August to prioritize domestic demand, its CEO, Afetsi Awoonor, stated on Wednesday, September 16.

For Burkina Faso, the company delivered only 40,000 metric tons out of the 80,000 requested for July and August. Mali received 10,000 tons, while its reported needs to BOST included an additional 40,000 tons for August and September.

Afetsi Awoonor explained that the pressure on international oil and gas markets is driving up supply costs, while diesel consumption is increasing in Ghana due to economic activity. BOST holds approximately 30% of the Ghanaian market, with diesel accounting for nearly two-thirds of its volumes.

The decision directly impacts two landlocked Sahelian countries that heavily rely on import corridors from coastal states, particularly Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. In Ghana, fuel price tensions were confirmed on September 16 with price increases reported by several distributors, amid rising international oil product prices.

The National Petroleum Authority oversees the flow of petroleum products entering and leaving Ghana, as well as re-exports to neighboring countries. Its regulatory framework also includes monitoring available stocks in the country’s depots.

BOST is also planning to enhance its logistics capabilities with a liquefied petroleum gas terminal in Tema by the fourth quarter of 2027 and storage facilities in six locations, starting with Kumasi.