The Central African government granted Neptune Oil a ten-year fuel import monopoly on September 29, 2023, making it the country's sole authorized fuel supplier. This decision, which excluded only Tristar's supply to MINUSCA, positioned the Cameroonian company at the center of the Central African Republic's fuel sector. Neptune Oil is directed by businessman Antoine Ndzengue. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) confirmed that the monopoly granted to Neptune Oil generated excessive profits within the country's fuel market. The ten-year duration of this exclusive agreement notes a significant shift in the nation's energy policy and supply chain management. This move effectively designated Neptune Oil as the primary, and almost exclusive, conduit for fuel into the Central African Republic (CAR), reshaping the economic landscape of a critical sector.
Monopoly's Genesis and Structure
The monopoly granted to Neptune Oil was reportedly intended to displace established French companies from the Central African Republic's fuel market. This decision followed weeks after the approval of TAMOIL's acquisition of Total Centrafrique. This strategic shift signaled a move away from traditional suppliers and towards new partnerships in the vital energy sector. The timing of these events suggests a coordinated effort to reconfigure the market dynamics. Arthur Bertrand Piri, who served as Minister of Energy and Deputy Executive Secretary of Mouvement Cœurs Unis, stated that the head of state authorized him to identify partners to address the country's fuel supply needs. Piri explained, "the head of state gave me the green light to look for partners capable of filling the fuel supply deficit." This directive shows the government's declared intention to secure a stable fuel supply for the nation.
According to Arthur Bertrand Piri, Neptune Oil was the sole suitable contender for this role. He asserted, "Neptune Oil was the only valid candidate." This claim suggests a lack of viable alternatives or a preference for the Cameroonian entity in the selection process. Local distributors reportedly did not apply the 15% withholding tax on payments made to Neptune Oil, citing concerns about potential supply disruptions if they did. This reluctance to enforce tax regulations notes the leverage held by Neptune Oil due to its monopolistic position and the perceived fragility of the fuel supply chain. The absence of this withholding tax represents a significant loss of potential revenue for the state. The monopoly agreement itself is alleged to be in violation of the 2007 law that liberalized the fuel market within the Central African Republic. This alleged contravention raises questions about the legality and transparency of the agreement, potentially undermining the regulatory framework established to promote competition and fair practices in the energy sector. In a related development, Coral Energy, a company based in Singapore, was subjected to British sanctions in December 2024. The imposition of sanctions on a major player in the global energy trading landscape, though not directly linked to Neptune Oil, reflects the broader international scrutiny and regulatory pressures impacting the sector.
The structure of the monopoly effectively centralized the entire fuel import process through a single entity. This centralization, while potentially offering simplified logistics, also created a single point of failure and significantly reduced competition. The exclusion of all other suppliers, save for Tristar's specific arrangement with MINUSCA, meant that the vast majority of the Central African Republic's fuel needs became dependent on Neptune Oil's operations and pricing. This dependency has broad implications for the country's economy, its citizens, and its fiscal stability. The ten-year duration of the monopoly further solidified Neptune Oil's dominant position, granting it long-term control over a critical national resource. The decision to grant this extensive monopoly was a key moment for the Central African Republic's energy sector, moving it away from a liberalized market structure.
Financial Windfall and Evasion Tactics
In 2024, the system of fuel imports in the Central African Republic generated between $17.5 million and $30 million USD in excess profits. These significant figures show the lucrative nature of the fuel trade under the current monopolistic arrangement. These profits are alleged to stem from a deliberately inflated price structure and massive tax evasion, facilitated by the complicity of customs agents. The accusations of inflated pricing and tax evasion point to systemic issues within the import process, suggesting that the costs are artificially raised beyond market rates. The prime granted to the importer in the Central African Republic exceeds Cameroonian prices by 160 CFA francs per liter of gasoline and 185 CFA francs per liter of diesel, according to reports. This substantial price difference between the two countries notes the additional costs borne by consumers and businesses in the CAR, directly contributing to the alleged excess profits.
These unjustified costs alone generated approximately $17.5 million USD in excess profits for Neptune Oil in 2024 from road imports. This specific figure quantifies a significant portion of the total excess profits attributed to the inflated pricing mechanism. Neptune Oil's non-resident status reportedly hindered the state's ability to collect taxes. The company's legal domicile outside the Central African Republic created a barrier to effective tax enforcement, allowing it to operate with fewer fiscal obligations compared to a locally registered entity. Significant volumes of fuel are exempted from import duties and taxes, amounting to approximately 200 CFA francs per liter, under the guise of diplomatic missions or bilateral aid. This exemption mechanism, intended for specific purposes, is reportedly being exploited. This exemption is granted with the complicity of customs agents in Douala and at border posts. The alleged involvement of customs agents in facilitating these exemptions suggests a breakdown in regulatory oversight and potential corruption at key entry points for fuel imports.
The financial implications of these practices are substantial, diverting considerable revenue away from the state treasury. The combination of inflated prices, uncollected withholding taxes, and exploited import duty exemptions creates a complex web of financial irregularities. These practices not only enrich the company but also deprive the Central African Republic government of much-needed funds that could be used for public services and development. The scale of the alleged tax evasion and profit generation points to a deeply entrenched system operating outside conventional fiscal norms. The non-resident status of Neptune Oil further complicates efforts to scrutinize its financial dealings and ensure compliance with local tax laws. This situation has led to significant scrutiny from both national and international bodies concerned with financial transparency and governance.
In February 2025, diesel cost $2.17 USD per liter in the Central African Republic. This high price point for a critical fuel type reflects the combined impact of the inflated pricing structure and the various additional costs embedded within the monopolistic import system. Approximately 70% of Neptune Oil's imports are transported by road via Cameroon, which is identified as the most expensive route. The reliance on this costly transportation method further contributes to the high retail prices of fuel in the CAR. Traditionally, 80% of the country's fuel supply arrived by river from Kinshasa and Brazzaville, with the Cameroonian corridor limited to 20% of imports. The significant shift in import routes, from the more economical river transport to the more expensive road transport through Cameroon, represents a fundamental change in logistics that directly impacts the final cost of fuel. This change in import strategy, coupled with the monopoly, has effectively locked the CAR into a higher-cost supply chain.
Regulatory Scrutiny and State Revenue Decline
State revenues derived from fuel imports in the Central African Republic experienced a significant decline, falling from $41.6 million USD in 2021 to $29.5 million USD in 2024. This substantial decrease of over $12 million USD shows the direct financial impact of the current fuel import system on the national budget. This decrease coincides with increased regulatory scrutiny over the country's fuel sector. The decline in state revenue, particularly from such a vital sector, has naturally drawn the attention of financial oversight bodies and government officials seeking to understand and address the fiscal leakage.
Neptune Oil accounted for a substantial portion of the nation's fuel imports in 2024, supplying 70% of the 124 million liters brought into the country. This figure notes the company's dominance and its central role in meeting the Central African Republic's energy demands. Despite its prominent role, the company's registration status has been a point of contention. Arthur Bertrand Piri stated that as of October 3, 2024, Neptune Oil was still in the process of being registered under the name Neptune Oil Supply. However, investigators from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) reported that no registration had been completed by August 2025. This discrepancy regarding the company's official registration status raises serious questions about its operational legitimacy and compliance with national legal requirements. The lack of proper registration could have implications for its legal standing, tax obligations, and overall accountability within the country.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also intensified its oversight, pressuring the Central African Republic government to publish its fuel price structures on a monthly basis. This requirement has been in effect since June 2024. The IMF's intervention signals international concern over the transparency and governance of the CAR's fuel sector, aiming to ensure more open and accountable pricing mechanisms. This pressure from a key international financial institution reflects the gravity of the situation and the need for greater fiscal discipline. The combination of declining state revenues and the ongoing issues surrounding Neptune Oil's operational status and import volumes has brought the fuel sector under closer examination by both domestic and international bodies. The financial implications of the current fuel import system continue to be a focus for authorities and observers alike. The scrutiny from the IMF and organizations like GI-TOC indicates a growing demand for transparency and accountability in the Central African Republic's energy market. The long-term sustainability of the country's economy is intrinsically linked to the stability and integrity of its fuel supply and the revenue it generates.
