Marine fuel regulation change to create African winners and losers
The African upstream may be well placed to benefit from IMO 2020, but it poses significant wider risks to the region
The new International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations changing the quality of shipping fuel from January 2020 will have a global effect on oil prices. And the impact of the new regulations on the African oil sector in particular will be profound, given the mix of lower and higher sulphur in oil production in different production centres. Further downstream, there are generally fewer complex refineries in Africa; there are government subsidies for road transport fuels; there is a higher dependence on imported fuels (which are expected to increase in price); and a higher proportion of power generation fed by high sulphur fuels. The challenges posed by the new regulations should be unde
Also in this section
20 January 2026
As the global energy system undergoes its most profound transformation in a century, the need for credible leadership, practical solutions and inclusive dialogue has never been greater. In 2026, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will stand at the centre of this conversation as host of the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh.
20 January 2026
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the host of the 25th WPC Energy Congress on 26-30 April 2026. The Ministry of Energy spoke with Petroleum Economist about the key messages and opportunities for the global energy community.
19 January 2026
Newfound optimism is emerging that a dormant exploration frontier could become a strategic energy play and—whisper it quietly—Europe’s next offshore opportunity
16 January 2026
The country’s global energy importance and domestic political fate are interlocked, highlighting its outsized oil and gas powers, and the heightened fallout risk
