GRA to Engage Oil Marketing Companies Ahead of New Fuel Levy Rollout

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is set to intensify stakeholder consultations with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and relevant industry players this week, ahead of the implementation of the revised Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy.

The move comes as part of the Authority’s efforts to ensure a smooth rollout and compliance with the recently passed Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1141).

The new levy, which imposes an additional GH¢1.00 charge per litre on petrol and diesel, is now scheduled to take effect on Monday, June 16, 2025, following a deferral from the initially announced date of June 9.

Speaking to the media, Smile Agbemenu, Chief Revenue Officer for the Customs Policy and Programmes Department of the GRA, explained the rationale behind the delay and the importance of the upcoming consultations.

“We were supposed to engage the oil marketing companies over the weekend beyond the publications, but it has been deferred to this week. So we expect a discussion with them by tomorrow just to explain further the Commissioner-General’s tariff interpretation order,” he stated.

He emphasized that the engagement is a continuation of GRA’s established protocol when implementing new tax measures.

“Nothing really is changing except for the additional GH¢1.00 collection for super and diesel and the 20 pesewas collection for those others affected. This is something we have been going through with them over a long period, so they are familiar with and know that this is how we implement,” Agbemenu clarified.

Importantly, kerosene remains exempt from the new levy, a point Mr. Agbemenu noted was critical to clarify as part of the discussions.

The GRA had earlier issued Tariff Interpretation Order No. 2025/003, which guided stakeholders on the revised rates and how the levies would be applied. Following preliminary engagements and feedback from stakeholders, the GRA opted to push the effective date by one week to allow OMCs and downstream operators additional time to make necessary systems adjustments.

The amended levy is a key component of the government’s strategy to reduce the energy sector’s staggering debt burden, stabilize the power supply, and build fiscal resilience within Ghana’s broader economic recovery framework, which is supported by the IMF.

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