Ahmad 
Libya ranked sixth in Africa in fuel consumption, while it ranked 48th in the world, according to a report published by the “Business Insider Africa” website.
According to the report, Egypt tops the African list with a consumption of 802 thousand barrels per day, followed by South Africa with 660 thousand barrels, then Algeria with 428 thousand barrels, Nigeria with 316 thousand barrels, and Morocco with 286 thousand barrels.
The report revealed that fuel consumption in Libya is constantly increasing despite the scarcity that the local market suffers from, especially in the south and border areas.
Fuel smuggling is one of the most prominent problems facing successive Libyan governments, as none of them has been able to put an end to this ongoing phenomenon in light of the high daily fuel consumption.
Fuel smuggling in Libya is due to several reasons, including the large difference in fuel prices between Libya and neighboring countries, as Libya is ranked second in the world on the list of countries with the cheapest gasoline prices.
These low prices encourage smuggling operations, as smugglers make huge profits from selling subsidized Libyan fuel in foreign markets at much higher prices.
In an attempt to stop the phenomenon, the outgoing National Unity Government proposed a plan to introduce reforms to the fuel market by eliminating fuel subsidies, but this step was met with widespread rejection.
The World Bank revealed in previous figures that Libya loses at least $750 million annually as a result of illegal fuel smuggling activities.
The National Oil Corporation in Libya is seeking to increase oil production, as the head of the corporation, Farhat Ben Qaddara, announced the goal of raising production to two million barrels per day by the end of next year, as its daily oil production currently stands at about 1.5 million barrels per day.
The western regions of Libya are witnessing the spread of the fuel smuggling mafia. In recent weeks, the “444th Combat Brigade” force seized a fuel truck loaded with 40,000 liters that was prepared for smuggling, Ras Jadir border customs center also handed over to the Brega Oil Marketing Company more than two hundred thousand liters of fuel that was prepared For smuggling.
The smuggling networks are assisted by Libyan officials, which was revealed by the Public Prosecution’s investigations, which led to the imprisonment of public employees in the management of the “Highway Services for Oil Services” company on charges of contributing to fuel smuggling.
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