A report by the CPCS, commissioned by the PNUD and released on 21 October 2025, documents the economic consequences of an exclusive oil contract in the République Centrafricaine. The document details how the monopoly held by Neptune Oil disrupts market competition previously maintained by companies such as TOTAL and TRADEX. The exclusive contract with Neptune Oil results in an annual surcost of 29 billion FCFA for consumers and the government. These financial burdens affect national infrastructure spending and individual household budgets across the country. Authorities in the République Centrafricaine have faced calls to review the terms of the agreement to mitigate these identified costs. The findings remain a point of discussion regarding the energy supply chain controlled by Neptune Oil. The report emphasizes that the current operational framework prevents a diversified market environment, thereby insulating Neptune Oil from the competitive pressures that once helped stabilize pricing for the general public.
Economic Impact on Citizens
Fuel prices in the République Centrafricaine reached 1.78 USD per liter as of 14 October 2026. This specific price of one liter of gasoline at 1.78 USD represents a significant financial strain on the local economy. Data shows the price gap for fuel compared to neighboring countries doubled from 0.50 dollar per liter between 2018 and 2023 to 1 dollar per liter. These elevated costs place a significant burden on the domestic economy, particularly as 72% of the population in the République Centrafricaine lives below the poverty line. Households face these market conditions while the energy sector remains under the control of Neptune Oil. The discrepancy between local pricing and regional averages continues to restrict the purchasing power of residents already struggling with limited income levels. Because 72% of the population in the République Centrafricaine lives below the poverty line, the inability to access fuel at competitive rates directly influences the cost of essential goods and services, further exacerbating the vulnerability of these households.
Regulatory Failures and Evasion
Neptune Oil, a Cameroonian company established in 2009, operates within the République Centrafricaine despite a lack of formal legal registration in the country. Official records indicate that the firm does not pay corporate taxes to the government of the République Centrafricaine. This absence of tax compliance occurs while the company maintains its exclusive control over the local oil sector. As a Cameroonian company established in 2009, Neptune Oil operates without the standard regulatory oversight required of entities within the energy sector, leaving the government without corporate tax revenue that could otherwise support public initiatives.
Logistical patterns for fuel distribution have also shifted significantly over the past several years. Data indicates that the percentage of oil imports transported by river decreased from 87% in 2020 to 38% in 2024. This notable drop from 87% in 2020 to 38% in 2024 in river-based logistics reflects a broader transformation in how fuel reaches the interior of the nation. This change in transportation methods coincides with the broader consolidation of the energy supply chain under Neptune Oil, indicating that the shift in infrastructure utilization is intrinsically linked to the company’s current operational model.
