Amanze Chinonye
A new investigation has accused Russian-linked mercenaries and their local partners of orchestrating a cartel-like grip on the Central African Republic’s (CAR) fuel sector, worsening nationwide shortages and enriching criminal networks while citizens struggle to access petrol.
The report, released by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), concludes that fuel in CAR has become “a weapon of war and a source of illicit wealth,” with operatives formerly associated with the Wagner Group running a parallel supply system that often supersedes state authority.
According to investigators, Wagner-linked actors have consolidated control over the formal fuel sector through a network of front companies, complicit state officials and politically connected intermediaries. One such front company is said to have become the primary supplier to the Central African Armed Forces, importing fuel via Cameroon.
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GI-TOC found that this network maintains artificially high pump prices to maximise profit, generating an estimated US$17.5 million to US$30 million in excess revenue in 2024, which was distributed through a well-organised kickback scheme.
The findings, as reported by Prime Business Africa, align with widespread frustration among Bangui residents who face empty stations, long queues and unpredictable supply. “I can’t go to work… this shortage is killing us slowly,” one civil servant told a local outlet as fuel stations in the capital continued to run dry.
The investigation links the current crisis to Wagner’s expanding institutional footprint in CAR since 2018, when mercenaries began providing security to President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
Despite leadership upheavals within the organisation, its operatives continue to run businesses and shell companies in the country, profiting from gold and diamond mining, illegal timber harvesting, weapons trafficking and other revenue streams that entrench their influence.
Fuel scarcity has intensified public anger, with citizens demanding transparency over who controls the nation’s supply and why prices remain high despite reported large-scale imports. Local editorials have questioned the disappearance of fuel and the apparent erosion of government revenue at a time of mounting hardship.
GI-TOC is urging the CAR government to investigate smuggling and profiteering in the fuel supply chain and to commission an independent audit of the pricing structure to identify distortions contributing to inflated costs.
The organisation further calls for targeted international sanctions against fuel operators working directly or indirectly with Wagner and its successor entity, Africa Corps, warning that the network’s activities undermine state authority and fuel ongoing instability.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
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