Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a flammable hydrocarbon fuel consisting primarily of propane and butane, stored and transported under pressure in liquid form. LPG is produced as a by-product of natural gas processing and crude oil refining, making it a versatile energy source derived from both petroleum and gas operations. The fuel is widely used for cooking, heating, industrial processes and as an automotive fuel, particularly in regions where natural gas pipeline infrastructure is limited. LPG is considered a cleaner-burning alternative to coal and traditional biomass fuels, producing lower emissions of particulates and greenhouse gases. In Africa, LPG plays an important role in household energy access, with governments and development agencies promoting its adoption to reduce reliance on wood and charcoal. The fuel is distributed in pressurised cylinders for domestic use and in bulk for commercial and industrial applications. Major oil and gas companies, as well as independent distributors, supply LPG across the continent. The sector faces challenges including infrastructure investment, cylinder standardisation, safety regulation and affordability for low-income households. LPG is also used as a feedstock in the petrochemicals industry for the production of plastics and synthetic materials.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Updates
South Africa ramps up fuel imports from US as war jolts trade
By: Reuters 23rd April 2026 South Africa is boosting oil-product imports from the US to help replace lost supplies from the Middle East, in another example of how the conflict... →
Diesel disruptions and early hikes point to possible gap in pricing framework 
By: Terence Creamer 25th March 2026 Government and the liquid fuels industry insist that recent disruptions to diesel supply in parts of South Africa are not related to a physical... →
Charcoal in the modern cooking transition
24th March 2026 Today, 2.1-billion people remain reliant on traditional cooking fuels in the form of charcoal or firewood. The adoption of clean cooking fuels like... →
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