The government of São Tomé and Príncipe expects a fuel shipment to arrive on October 21, aiming to resolve a shortage that has crippled transport, fishing, and daily household activities since early October.
Speaking at a press conference in São Tomé on October 20, Economy and Finance Minister Gareth Guadalupe announced that a vessel transporting petrol, diesel, and crude oil is scheduled to dock at about 10:00 GMT the following day, according to the state broadcaster RSTP.
The minister said that the consignment would provide enough fuel to “weather the crisis until next year”. The state had since secured the funds needed for a new purchase, while warning that higher prices for families could not be ruled out, he added.
Fishing crews have struggled to obtain fuel for their boats, while higher transport costs have increased the price of food and other goods for households.
The crisis began in early October after the government acknowledged difficulties financing imports amid rising international fuel prices. São Tomé and Príncipe depends heavily on imported petroleum products, making it vulnerable to foreign-currency constraints and global price volatility.
