Fuel in Cotonou: Ministry of Commerce explains long queues at stations

On September 30, 2026, long queues appeared at several gas stations in Cotonou, including Houénoussou, Fidjrossé, and Erevan, with some stations experiencing shortages. Laurent Akpo, the director of the Ministry of Commerce, stated there was no fuel shortage but an unusual demand, and measures are being taken to speed up supply, expecting the situation to normalize soon. He also mentioned that the current fuel price of 725 FCFA per liter is not expected to rise, but the sector is currently bearing significant additional costs, which could become unsustainable due to the influence of the informal sector in the oil industry.