Libyan oil trade routes shift towards Africa
LIBYA – A report by the Egyptian English-language newspaper Daily News Egypt said South Africa imported nearly one million barrels of Libyan crude oil in September, in a rare shipment it described as the second of its kind since 2013.
Comparison with the August 2016 shipment
According to the report, followed and summarised by Al-Marsad, South Africa’s previous Libyan crude shipment was in August 2016 and totalled only 79,000 barrels. Given the absence of long-term contracts for Libyan oil purchases in South Africa, the report suggested the September cargo may have been bought on the spot market or through local Libyan companies operating under agency sales arrangements.
Regional disruptions and redirected supplies
The report linked the rise in African buyers to disruptions in oil supplies from the Middle East, the Gulf and Iraq, which are pushing markets to diversify sources and deal with non-traditional suppliers.
Italy remains historically the largest buyer
It said Europe has historically taken most Libyan crude exports under long-term contracts, and that Italy has remained the largest buyer because of geographic proximity, even as African destinations have become more visible in recent months.
Nigeria, Egypt and Tunisia among African buyers
The report said Nigeria imported about five million barrels from Libya in two shipments in May and July 2026, while Egypt received about 3.26 million barrels in February, April and August of the same year. Tunisia imported four shipments between March and August 2026 totalling 1.421 million barrels.
