Sudan Oil Companies Petition Burhan: Demand Fuel Import Policy Review

• Twenty-four Sudanese oil companies petitioned Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on October 6, 2026, seeking an urgent review of fuel import and financing controls.
• The petition follows a June regulation by the Central Bank of Sudan requiring a 200-gram gold deposit for fuel imports, aimed at curbing manipulation and foreign currency pressure.
• Companies argue current rules weaken market competition, destabilize supplies and prices, and allow profit margins up to $7 million per shipment due to exchange rate disparities.
• They warned that continued imbalances would raise operational costs for productive sectors, impacting exports and foreign currency generation for national needs.
• The memorandum demanded opening petroleum product imports to all qualified national companies under unified criteria to ensure equal opportunities and enhance market competition, alongside a review of in-kind import guarantees.

The companies issued a stark warning that if these systemic imbalances persisted, they would inevitably lead to increased fuel and operational costs for Sudan's productive sectors.

On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, a collective of twenty-four Sudanese oil companies formally submitted a memorandum to Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who heads the Sovereign Council. This significant petition urged an immediate and comprehensive Sudan fuel import policy review, specifically targeting the existing controls on fuel importation and its associated financing mechanisms. The companies' action comes in the wake of a stringent regulation introduced by the Central Bank of Sudan in June, which mandated that any entity seeking to import fuel must first deposit 200 grams of gold. This measure, according to the Central Bank, was designed to curb irregularities in import activities and alleviate pressure on the nation's dwindling foreign currency reserves. The Sudan oil companies petition Burhan highlights growing industry dissatisfaction with these recent regulatory changes.

In their detailed submission, the companies articulated profound concerns regarding the impact of the current regulatory environment. They contended that the prevailing procedures and controls had severely undermined Sudan petroleum market competition, creating significant imbalances that directly affected the reliability of fuel supplies and the stability of prices across the country. A key point raised was that by restricting import activities to a select few companies, profit margins on individual shipments had inflated dramatically, in some instances reaching approximately $7 million per consignment. This situation was exacerbated by a substantial discrepancy between the official exchange rate designated for imports, set at around 5,500 Sudanese pounds per US dollar, and the parallel market rate, which stood considerably higher at 8,300 Sudanese pounds per dollar. The companies issued a stark warning that if these systemic imbalances persisted, they would inevitably lead to increased fuel and operational costs for Sudan's productive sectors. Such a scenario, they cautioned, would negatively impact overall production volumes and export capabilities, thereby diminishing the economy's capacity to generate the crucial foreign currency required for national needs and ongoing reconstruction efforts.

To address these pressing issues, the memorandum put forth several critical demands aimed at reforming the Sudan trade law fuel imports framework. Foremost among these was a call to open up the importation of petroleum products to all qualified national companies. The companies emphasized that this expansion should be governed by unified, transparent technical and financial criteria, ensuring a level playing field for all participants. The objective behind this proposal was to guarantee equal opportunities and foster robust competition within the domestic market. Furthermore, the petition specifically requested a thorough review of the in-kind guarantees currently imposed on import operations, advocating for their replacement with more equitable and efficient alternatives. This collective action by Sudan oil companies petition Burhan underscores a concerted industry effort to influence Abdel Fattah al-Burhan fuel regulations and promote a more competitive and stable energy sector.

Lawyers advising energy companies or traders in Sudan should closely monitor this petition, as it signals significant industry pressure to reform fuel import regulations, potentially impacting compliance requirements, operational costs, and market competition. Companies currently subject to the Central Bank's gold deposit rule should prepare for possible policy shifts or legal challenges.

Source: Original reporting via Sudan Tribune