**Lubumbashi in Shortage: When the Fuel Crisis Reveals Structural Failures**
Lubumbashi, the metropolis of Haut-Katanga, is today the scene of an unprecedented crisis in terms of fuel supply. While gas stations are struggling to meet the growing demand, informal resellers, commonly called Kadafi, are taking advantage of the situation to speculate, selling a liter of gasoline at an exorbitant price of 10,000 Congolese francs, compared to 3,400 Congolese francs at gas stations. In other words, the Congolese money seems to evaporate as fuel becomes a luxury.
### A Crisis Fueled by a Multitude of Factors
The current situation is not a simple consequence of an isolated economic performance. Oil tankers, which primarily supply through the port of Dar es Salaam, face a unique routing problem: the majority of this cargo is fuel oil. This divergence in the types of fuel available means that gasoline, a vital commodity for transport and economic activity, is becoming scarce. Information from oil operators also indicates that the routes used by tankers are particularly problematic, with administrative delays and tolls eroding the profitability of supply.
The detour through the port of Durban, as well as the administrative complications encountered at the border with Zimbabwe, undoubtedly aggravate this picture. In a country that already suffers from poor infrastructure, the fuel issue highlights a transit network that is weighed down by inefficiencies—a challenge that discourages suppliers, who prefer to turn to the Zambian market to the detriment of the DRC.
### Socio-economic consequences
This fuel crisis does not only affect motorists and motorcyclists, but also almost all economic actors. In the absence of a stable supply, transport services such as taxis and taxi-buses are increasing their prices. About 60% of households in Lubumbashi depend on these means of transport to travel to work or for their daily activities. As a result, an inflationary slope is inevitable, exacerbated by the increased demand for essential goods and services.
A report from the National Institute of Statistics of the DRC shows that, despite efforts to stabilize the economy, inflation has reached unprecedented heights, particularly in mining provinces such as Haut-Katanga. The current situation, by increasing the cost of transport, could propel everyday consumer goods, already on the rise, to heights inaccessible to many Congolese.
### Towards a Reflection on Other Alternatives
It is crucial to think long term to avoid a repetition of this crisis in the future. In other African countries, initiatives such as promoting renewable energy and diversifying supply sources have proven effective. For example, countries such as Kenya have expanded the use of biofuel, thereby reducing their reliance on imports.
The situation in Lubumbashi also calls for reform of public policies on transport and infrastructure. The Congolese government could consider bilateral agreements with its neighbors to facilitate the flow of goods, while implementing tax incentives to encourage the importation of better quality and lower-cost fuels.
### Conclusion: A Call to Action
The fuel crisis in Lubumbashi represents an opportunity—or, if you will, a warning—to rethink our supply systems and economic priorities. It is not enough to maintain the status quo by managing sporadic shortages. The path to a viable and resilient logistics system requires better regional cooperation, administrative reform and increased attention to sustainability.
Thus, while the citizens of Lubumbashi are wondering about their future in a city where fuel is becoming a scarce commodity, that of policymakers must involve a long-term vision, educated by the mistakes of the past. The effects of the current crisis could lose their cyclical character forever if urgent measures are not taken to guarantee supply and reduce the vulnerability of the people to economic hazards. This is a call for unity and innovation to build a future where everyone can count on accessible and affordable fuel.