South Africa imported nearly 1 million barrels of Libyan crude oil in September - only the second such transaction since 2013, according to a report by Attaqa.net.
The report said the shipment highlights shifting trade flows in Africa’s oil market as supply disruptions in the Middle East (the Iran War and closure of the Hormuz Straight) reshape crude oil sourcing and prompt some countries to turn to less traditional suppliers.
The report added that South Africa is not among the countries with long-term contracts to purchase Libyan crude, suggesting that the September cargo may have been acquired on the spot market or through local Libyan companies operating under an agency-sale mechanism.
Libya’s crude exports traditionally go mainly to European markets through long-term contracts, with Italy remaining the largest buyer because of its geographical proximity. However, African destinations have featured more prominently in recent months amid disruptions to oil supplies from the Gulf and Iraq.
These included recent sales to Nigeria, Egypt and Tunisia.
Despite the recent diversification of destinations, the report said Europe remained the dominant market for Libyan crude during the first nine months of 2026. Four European countries imported an average of 771,000 barrels per day, accounting for about 65% of Libya’s seaborne crude exports.
Italy alone accounted for 41% of Libya’s total crude exports during the period, followed by Spain, Greece and France. Libya’s average seaborne crude exports stood at 1.19 million barrels per day, slightly below the 1.20 million barrels per day recorded during the same period in 2025, according to the report.
It concluded that the latest shipment underscores how changing supply conditions can open new trade routes for African crude producers, even as Europe continues to dominate demand for Libyan oil.