Fuel prices in Beni, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, have fallen sharply after several days of supply pressure. According to Radio Okapi, the price of a liter of gasoline dropped from 22,000 to 5,500 Congolese francs on May 3, 2026, a decline of roughly 75%.

The drop brings prices closer to official levels following a supply disruption that had severely disrupted fuel distribution across the city.

With several filling stations running dry, residents turned to informal channels, including street resellers, locally known as "Kadhafi," where prices had surged.

The current decline appears to reflect a gradual improvement in supply. It comes amid pressure from local actors, including community leaders, elected officials, and business operators, who had been calling for a quick resumption of deliveries.

A comparable situation had already been observed in March 2026, when a liter of gasoline was selling for around 8,000 Congolese francs on the parallel market, compared with roughly 2,500 francs under normal conditions. That spike had been attributed to the immobilization of fuel tankers in Kenya that were bound for Beni, Butembo, and Kasindi.

These developments are unfolding against a backdrop of nationwide fuel price adjustments. New fuel prices have been in effect across the DRC since April 17, 2026. In the eastern zone, the official price of a liter of gasoline is set at 4,400 Congolese francs, while diesel stands at 5,600 francs.

Despite the drop recorded in Beni, current prices remain above the official gasoline rate for the eastern zone, highlighting ongoing logistical costs and supply vulnerabilities in that part of the country.

Ronsard Luabeya