Recent Developments in Sudan's Fuel Subsidy Reform Process
In September 2013 Sudan introduced the third and most dramatic in a series of fuel subsidy cuts, raising prices of petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 65 to 75 per cent each.
This came in a context of high economic pressure, following the loss of oil revenue from South Sudan after July 2011. That resulted in significant structural imbalances in the fiscal and current accounts, sending the black market exchange rate out of control and requiring the Central Bank to print money to finance excessive government spending.
The overall pricing system was not changed by the subsidy cuts, and no explicit linkage to the market was introduced, meaning that further reforms are likely to be required. However, that may be politically difficult, given the highly negative public reaction (with the worst riots seen in the capital city for at least two decades) and the lack of support for the reforms among the media and other political forces—including sections of the ruling party itself. Internal disunity appears to have been one of the main factors preventing the government from launching an effective communications strategy and broader consultations.
You might also be interested in
The Cost of Fossil Fuel Reliance
Government support for fossil fuels reached at least USD 1.5 trillion in 2023, new data shows.
Increased Support Needed to Achieve India's Clean Energy Goals
India is on track to achieve many of its 2030 clean energy goals but needs to step up government support measures to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind, electric vehicles, and green hydrogen, according to a new report.
Ending Export Credits for Oil and Gas: How OECD countries can end 2024 with a climate win
For a year now, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OECD) governments have been negotiating an agreement that could put an end to oil and gas export finance. Following the acrimony in Baku, this would be a very real way for the OECD to show policy coherence, respond to calls from the poorest countries to stop subsidizing fossil fuels, and shift public finance to solutions.
Fossil Fuel Production, Renewable Energy, and Subsidy Reform in Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0
This policy brief provides an analysis of the critical benchmarks and recommendations necessary for aligning nationally determined contributions (NDCs) with the 1.5 °C target.