Mali eases fuel shortages with 54 million litre import

Mali has eased its fuel supply shortages by importing over 54 million litres of petroleum products in 10 days, as reported by Africa News and agencies on January 23rd.

According to Malian authorities, 1,192 tanker trucks have been mobilised within 10 days to resupply fuel across the landlocked country, with 875 trucks delivering over 40 million litres between January 12th and 18th, while a further 317 trucks delivered 14.4 million litres.

Importing fuel has allowed service stations to refuel to around 53.9% in the first wave of imports, reducing queues for fuel in the capital, Bamako, and other major urban centres.

Since September 2025, Mali has been under a fuel blockade imposed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a terrorist group that seeks to destabilise Mali’s military junta government.

The blockade targeted regions surrounding Bamako and was reportedly intended to incite public unrest against the junta, forcing the public to scavenge for fuel.

Due to Mali’s reliance on fuel imports from neighbouring countries, the blockade was highly effective at bringing the nation to a standstill and crippling the economy, as JNIM fighters targeted major supply routes, seized commercial transport and destroyed fuel tankers.

Civilian movement in areas under JNIM control has been heavily restricted, and the group has established roadblocks around Bamako. Inhabitants of besieged areas are subjected to Sharia Law, including strict dress codes and punishments.

JNIM fighters have also kidnapped foreigners for ransom payments, which they call “economic jihad“, to fund the group’s campaign against the junta, which seized power in 2020 following a military coup.

The junta has been criticised for its anti-democratic practices since assuming power, such as the leader, Assimi Goïta, signing legislation to extend his presidency until 2030.

In recent years, Islamist insurgency groups like JNIM have increasingly targeted the Sahel region for attacks, with the aim of imposing an Islamic State within targeted countries.

Sahel states, including Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, are all led by military juntas that have vowed to counter the growing regional threat posed by jihadist insurgents.

The three countries are founding members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), established in January 2025; the AES is a cooperation pact designed to counter jihadist insurgencies through shared intelligence and military resources.

Although the recent fuel imports have improved the situation in Mali, government officials and industry professionals have highlighted ongoing challenges related to rationing, logistics and the need to establish an emergency fuel stockpile.

Africa News and agencies, Maghrebi.org