Namibia to end exclusive fuel supply deal with Vitol

Namibia has announced it will not renew its exclusive fuel supply agreement with the Dutch multinational energy trading group Vitol. Following a final one-month extension, the contract will terminate in October 2026. The original arrangement was an emergency measure intended to secure supply and protect consumers from price volatility linked to international conflicts.

The decision follows criticism from opposition parties regarding the risks of relying on a single supplier. Additionally, a recent incident involving contaminated jet fuel at the port of Walvis Bay, linked to Vitol affiliate Vivo Energy, caused fuel shortages that disrupted Lufthansa flights in Windhoek.

In response to recent constraints, the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) confirmed that jet fuel availability at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) has stabilized. Following successful quality checks, suppliers Vivo Energy Namibia and PUMA Energy have ensured sufficient Jet A-1 fuel is available to meet regular demand, allowing airlines to resume normal operations without requiring additional fuel stopovers.