South Africa imported nearly 1 million barrels of Libyan crude oil in September

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Energy trade data published on October 11 shows that South Africa imported nearly 1 million barrels of Libyan crude oil in September 2026, marking the country's second receipt of a Libyan crude cargo since 2013. The previous import occurred in August 2016, amounting to approximately 79,000 barrels. This import volume represents a significant increase over the previous record, with the data compiled and released by energy research firm Energy Research Unit.

South Africa is not a long-term contract purchaser of Libyan crude oil. Energy Research Unit speculates that this cargo may have been procured through the spot market, or supplied by local Libyan companies via agency sales arrangements. South Africa's main sources of crude oil imports continue to include Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, which account for approximately 46% and 32.7% of its crude oil import value, respectively.

From January to September 2026, Libya's seaborne crude oil exports averaged 1.19 million barrels per day, down from 1.20 million barrels per day in the same period of 2025. Italy, Spain, Greece and France combined imported an average of 771,000 barrels per day, accounting for approximately 65% of Libya's seaborne crude oil exports during the same period, with Italy alone accounting for 41%.

Libyan crude oil also entered other African markets during the same period. Nigeria imported approximately 2 million barrels and 3 million barrels in May and July respectively; Egypt imported approximately 3.26 million barrels in total across February, April and August; Tunisia imported in four batches between March and August, totaling approximately 1.421 million barrels.