Namibia to End Exclusive Vitol Fuel Supply Deal After October

Namibia will not renew its exclusive fuel supply arrangement with global commodities trader Vitol, the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has confirmed, after granting a one-month extension that runs through October.

The ministry described the extension as a one-off and final arrangement that will not be renewed beyond October 2026.

The government had originally awarded Vitol a three-month emergency fuel supply deal covering July to September, aimed at shielding consumers from higher fuel prices linked to the Iran war.

The arrangement drew criticism from opposition political parties and rival fuel suppliers, who argued it created an over-reliance on a single point of supply.

Last month, a jet fuel cargo at the port of Walvis Bay was found to be contaminated and was removed from circulation by Vitol's Vivo Energy unit. The incident led to fuel shortages that affected Lufthansa flights departing from Windhoek.

Namibia, which has become a hotspot for oil and gas exploration and hopes to produce its first oil by 2030, consumes roughly 100 million litres of petrol and diesel each month.