Overview

For information on Central African Republic Fuel contact details, please see the following link:

4.2.5 Central African Republic Fuel Provider Contact List

www.total.com/fr/en-republique-centrafricaine

www.tradexcentrafriquesa.com

The Central African Republic is not an oil producer. The country relies entirely on importation to satisfy its domestic demand for fuel and other oil related products, which is estimated around 100,000cbm/year or 80,000 metric tons/year. In comparison to the annual demand, available oil storage capacity in the country is estimated at 48,000cbm (or 38,400 metric tons), which is quite good. The import, storage and distribution of petroleum products were privatized in 1999. Since then, the oil sector has been dominated by three companies:

SOCASP (Société Centrafricaine de Stockage de Produits Pétroliers) , a joint Company between the Central African government (51%), Total (25%), Tradex (15%) and others (9%), actually replaced the former SOGAL (Société de Gestion des Actifs Pétroliers)  and is exclusively in charge of the importation and storage of oil products in the country.

Total Centrafrique and Tradex Centrafrique, are in charge of the commercialisation of oil products, while Tri-Star is dedicated only to MINUSCA operation.

Total has the largest share of the market, with filling stations in all main towns. Tradex, a Cameroonian company, has five filling stations in Bangui and is present in Baoro and Damara.

The Central African Republic relies entirely on oil importation to satisfy the domestic demand. The oil import to the country is done through two corridors. The main corridor is from Brazzaville along the rivers Ubangui and Congo. This corridors accounts for 80% of the importation of the country and is active during the rainy season only (June to January). The second corridor is through Cameroon and it accounts for only 20% and cannot exceed this limit (according to a law voted by the parliament). The import through Cameroon takes place during the dry season. But, in case of unexpected increase of the demand, the additional quantity can be imported through Douala, without any limitation. This is actually the case for aviation fuel.

SARPD-OIL, a Congolese fuel provider has only three stations in Bangui which are not operating since January 2018 due to technical problems.

In mid-June 2018, Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, faced a fuel problem. This is a regular problem due to the low flow of the Ubangi River. The origin of this crisis is the sanitation of the Ubangi River and compliance with the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding concerning the maintenance of waterways of common interest and the Cémac / DRC Code of Inland Navigation of December 1999. There are long queues at service stations in Bangui, resulting in an increase in price of fuel and also in an increase in price of transport. A crisis that hinders economic and other activities.. The low water level of Ubangui does to allow to rise the number of barges of the Central African Society of River Transport (SOCATRAF) with the petroleum products already ordered. Between June and July of each year, transport resumes on Ubangui after several months of interruption.

Fuel Pricing

The price of fuel is not the same throughout the country. The lowest price is observed in Bangui where the main fuel depots are located. Outside Bangui, the price depends on the distance.

It should be mentioned that the price of fuel also depends on the situation of international market, although local market is sometimes subsidized by the government. Current fuel prices observed in Bangui filling stations are as follows:

Seasonal Variations 

Fuel Transportation

There are two main fuel depots in the country. The biggest one is in Kolongo, on the Ubangui River, with a total of 14 tanks representing a capacity of 45,000 m³. Actually, this quantity is sufficient to cover the needs of a 6-month-consumption. Salo, located on the Sangha River, is another major depot with a storage capacity of 3 500 m³, however it is no longer operational.
Another depot is located at the international airport in Bangui with seven tanks for a total storage capacity of 300 m³. The replenishment of that depot is under the responsibility of SOCASP but the retailing of fuel to aircraft operators is managed by TOTAL.

Fuel supply is done by tank trucks (tankers) throughout the country. It should, however, be recalled that 80% of fuel import into the country is transported on barges from Kinshasa along the rivers Congo and Ubangui, whereas the remaining 20% is done with tank trucks through Cameroon. Rationing system can be introduced at fuel stations at a request by the government and/or fuel providers.

Standards, Quality and Testing

Most of the roads in the country are in a bad condition, especially during rainy season. This represents some serious risks for damage of trucks. Moreover, the long transit time is another factor discouraging transporters. Bridges are washed away and/or destroyed due to an ongoing armed conflict. Crossing ferries are in a bad condition and/or damaged. Due to a high level of insecurity, MINUSCA escorts are mandatory.

90% of the transporters in CAR have one to three trucks and are usually involved in other businessed such as trading, managing supermarkets warehouses etc. There is a lack of professionalism within the transport network.

The central African region has the worst infrastructure on the African continent. According to a report by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the “region stands out on the continent as one with the least infrastructure network, particularly transport and energy, which impacts negatively on production capacities and regional trade as well as social conditions and welfare.”

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

For information on Central African Republic Transporters contact details and fleet size information, please see the following link: 

4.2.6 Central African Republic Transporter Contact List

Overview

For information on Central African Republic Additional Service Provider contact details, please see the following link:

4.7 Central African Republic Additional Service Provision Contact List

Power Generation

There are several problems with power generation in Bangui and other areas.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

Overview

Telecommunication Regulation

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

For information on Central African Republic Food Suppliers, Accommodation and Other Markets contact details, please see the following link:

4.2.7 Central African Republic Additional Service Provision Contact List

Main Food Suppliers

The leading products in Central African Republic’s grain production are corn and sorghum. Central African Republic produced 90,000 tons of wheat in the 2015/16 season.. Sorghum production of country is around 25-50,000tons.

Central African Republic’s economy is predominantly based on agriculture and mine exports. Although the country has fertile lands and abundant water resources, production remains low. However, agricultural production and production in other fields are also important for the Central African Republic, which does not have access to the sea.

According to FAO data, Central African Republic does not export wheat flour. Import figures of country, which supply consumption with imports, also show a decline. Central African Republic imported between 18,000 and 35,000 tons of wheat flour between 2010 and 2013. The wheat flour import of the country was estimated at25,000 tons in 2010 and this amount increased to 30,000 tons in 2011. The wheat flour import, which increased to 35,000 tons in 2012, decreased to 18,000 tons (50 per cent reduction) in 2013.

http://www.millermagazine.com/english/grain-and-flour-market-in-congo-and-central-africa/

HUSACA-MAÏSCA

Details about MAÏSCA are provided in the section describing milling factories in the Central African Republic.
HUSACA (Huilerie, Savonnerie Centrafricaine) is a private company specialised in the production of edible oil and soaps. Its factory is located at Bimbo, within the same compound as MAÏSCA. HUSACA produces oil from cotton seed. MAÏSCA and HUSACA is the same company.
Fortification of the oil: It should be mentioned that the oil produced by HUSACA is not fortified with vitamins A and D. However, the company has the technical expertise to install a fortification unit.

• Daily grinding capacity: 20 mt of cotton seed

• Daily oil production capacity: 2 mt

• Cost: 675,000 XAF/MT

SUCAF (Sucrerie Centrafricaine)

SUCAF RCA was set up after SOGESCA was privatized in 2003. The site is located in Ngakobo, 286 miles north-east of Bangui, in the Province of Ouaka, covering a 12,693 acre area. Central African law corporation set up in 2003 with a capital of CFA 6,243,460,000 (EUR 21,723,985). Monthly production is 1300 mt from November to May. 1000 mt monthly are transported from Ngakobo to Bangui at the cost of 42500 CFA per 30 mt truck.

http://www.somdiaa.com/groupe/filiales/sucaf-rca/

VEGETABLE OIL COMPANY: CENTRAPALM

The “Centrafricaine des Palmiers (Centrapalm)” is  about 50 km from Bangui. Founded in August 1987 for the production, refining and sale of palm oil, industrial and domestic, with a palm grove of 2500 ha at the beginning; it was sold as one of the jewels of the national industry. In 2009-2010 the palm grove reduced its area from 2500 to 1000 hectares to only 594 ha. At the beginning, 30,000 tons of oil was produced per year,   only 156 tons per year.

CENTRAPALM is experiencing recurring financial difficulties, because of the aforementioned reasons, but also old palm plantations (400 hectares of which are under water). In addition, it has been hit hard by the strong competitiveness of products imported from othercountries.

LOCAL FOOD SUPPLIERS

There are also suppliers of sorghum, rice, beans in the west part of the country. Those suppliers are registered as cooperatives, federations and associations.

Additional Operational Support

Considering relatively poor economic context, it is impossible to carry out large (local) purchases of non-food items in the Central African Republic. An alternative solution is to purchase NFIs from Cameroon.
It is not possible to purchase NFIs outside the town of Bangui.