São Tomé and Príncipe has run out of petrol and household kerosene after the government again delayed the arrival of a fuel tanker, Finance Minister Gareth Guadalupe said on 14 October. The ship is loading diesel in Lomé and jet fuel and kerosene in Cotonou and is now expected next week. The government has admitted that it lacks the cash to pay for fuel imports, on which the islands depend for most of their electricity and transport. The shortage is bringing much of the economy to a standstill and shows how little foreign currency the state has left, adding pressure on a newly elected parliament without a clear majority.
Sources
- Téla Nón: https://www.telanon.info/economia/2026/10/14/54574/governo-anuncia-novo-atraso-na-chegada-do-navio-petroleiro/
- The Rio Times: https://www.riotimesonline.com/sao-tome-fuel-shortage-petrol-kerosene-2026/
- Forbes África Lusófona: https://forbesafricalusofona.com/stp-admite-falta-de-dinheiro-para-importar-combustiveis/