Ghana Cuts Fuel Exports to Burkina Faso and Mali as Regional Supply Pressures Mount

Ghana’s state-owned fuel distributor BOST Energies has reduced diesel and gasoline exports to Burkina Faso and Mali, prioritising domestic demand as tighter international fuel markets place pressure on supply and prices.

BOST Managing Director Afetsi Awoonor told Reuters that the company had cut exports to the two neighbouring Sahelian markets since August.

Burkina Faso requested 80,000 metric tonnes of fuel for July and August, but BOST supplied 40,000 tonnes. Mali received 10,000 tonnes during the period, while seeking additional supplies for August and September.

A regional energy-security issue

The reductions demonstrate the importance of coastal fuel-import and storage infrastructure to landlocked West African economies. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger rely on supply corridors through coastal neighbours including Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Ghana has previously sought to strengthen its role as a petroleum supply corridor to the Sahel, including through BOST’s Bolgatanga depot and cooperation with Burkina Faso’s national petroleum company SONABHY.

Domestic demand takes priority

BOST holds roughly 30% of Ghana’s fuel-distribution market. Awoonor said domestic diesel consumption has continued to rise alongside economic activity, increasing pressure on supply and efforts to keep prices stable.

The company is also planning additional infrastructure. BOST intends to build a liquefied petroleum gas terminal in Tema by the fourth quarter of 2027 and develop LPG storage facilities at six locations in phases, beginning with Kumasi.

Infrastructure matters beyond national borders

The episode highlights the interconnected nature of West Africa’s energy market. Storage capacity, transport corridors and access to coastal import infrastructure can have direct consequences for fuel security in landlocked economies when supply conditions tighten.

Sources

Reuters: Ghana’s BOST cuts fuel exports to Burkina Faso and Mali

GBC Ghana: Background on BOST’s Bolgatanga petroleum export corridor