The Central African Republic is in talks with Russia on supplies of Russian oil products to the African nation, CAR Foreign Minister Sylvie Baipo-Temon said in an interview with Sputnik.
"There are discussions ongoing with Russia. I cannot go into details ... I have not close followed the issue, but I know, that all sectors concerned have reached out to a certain number of partners to meet CAR's needs," the minister said, when asked whether Russia and CAR had reached agreement on supplies of Russian oil products to the country.
The Central African Republic, a country that does not produce oil itself, relies on imports of refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene to meet its limited transportation and power generation needs. Most of the population relies on traditional biomass such as wood and charcoal for cooking and heating, and has very limited access to electricity.
The country is seeking to diversify its energy sources and improve its energy security by exploring the potential of renewable energy sources, such as hydropower and solar power, and by working with various partners, such as Russia, to secure supplies of petroleum products.
Currently, the CAR's main sources of refined petroleum product imports are the United Arab Emirates, France, Senegal, Turkey, and the United States.