State-sanctioned fuel smuggling cost Libya $20bn over three years report

"A surge in state-sanctioned fuel smuggling between 2022 and 2024 cost the Libyan people about $20bn (15bn) in lost revenue an alarming sum that demands decisive international sanctions against those responsible, according to the most comprehensive report published on how Libya's primary revenue source has been systematically pillaged. The report by the investigative and policy body the Sentry states that politicians and security leaders"

"The NOC introduced a system whereby plentiful Libyan crude oil was swapped for imported refined fuel, which instead of being consumed in the Libyan market at subsidised prices was resold abroad at vast profit. By late 2024, the NOC's fuel imports had surged from about 20.4m litres per day in early 2021 to a peak of more than 41m litres per day by late 2024."

"Some of the imported fuel has also been smuggled into Sudan, where it has prolonged that country's civil war. Sentry calls for a western-backed investigation into the Libyan oil officials known to be at the heart of the fuel-smuggling enterprise and for international help to ensure Libya's own investigative bodies identify those who have stolen funds from the Libyan people."

State-sanctioned fuel smuggling between 2022 and 2024 stole roughly $20bn in revenue from Libya, driven by politicians and security leaders working with criminal networks and foreign backers. Imported refined fuel intended for subsidised domestic sale was rerouted and resold abroad for large private profit. The National Oil Corporation changed its system to swap plentiful crude for imported refined fuel, causing imports to rise from about 20.4m litres per day in early 2021 to over 41m by late 2024. Much of the imported petrol has been diverted, with some fuel smuggled into Sudan, prolonging that country’s civil war. Calls have been made for international sanctions, a western-backed probe into named oil officials, and support to Libya’s investigative bodies to recover stolen funds.

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