Trafigura, one of the world’s largest suppliers of commodities, has received $7.5 million (CFA4.26 billion) from Cameroon’s national oil refinery Sonara for a disputed gasoline cargo, as a London court has ordered the parties to resolve their wider contractual dispute under English jurisdiction.

The dispute began after Sonara contracted Trafigura Pte Limited on October 6, 2025, for 35,000 metric tons of diesel and 20,000 metric tons of gasoline, with a tolerance of plus or minus 5% at the seller’s option. While the diesel was delivered and paid for without incident, the gasoline cargo became the subject of conflicting quality tests.

Sonara challenges gasoline quality

The MT Seavictory arrived off Cape Limboh on November 28, 2025, with samples taken the following day to determine whether the gasoline complied with the contract. Initial testing raised concerns over the fuel’s octane rating and gum content.

Trafigura challenged the findings and requested additional samples. A second analysis found that the octane rating met the required specification, but gum content remained an issue. This comes months after Trafigura secured a $92 million arbitration award against Zambia’s state-backed mining investment company, ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc (ZCCM-IH), in a dispute linked to financing arrangements at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM)

A third test conducted after samples were collected on December 6 declared the gasoline compliant, with Hydrac issuing a quality certificate the following day.

Further testing followed in December. Sonara subsequently raised concerns over the fuel’s colour and the formation of residues over time, findings Trafigura disputed. On December 24, Sonara formally rejected the cargo for alleged noncompliance.

$7.5 million letter of credit triggers payment

Sonara had arranged a letter of credit worth up to €6.49 million ($7.5 million) with BGFI Bank Cameroon on November 28, 2025, with Afreximbank confirming the instrument.

After rejecting the cargo, Sonara asked BGFI Bank Cameroon on January 6, 2026, to suspend the letter of credit. The bank extended its validity but declined to independently block payment.

Sonara then approached the Limbe Court of First Instance on February 4, seeking to suspend payment until an international laboratory could determine whether the gasoline met contractual specifications.

Despite the proceedings, Afreximbank paid Trafigura the full €6.49 million on April 9, 2026, under the letter-of-credit mechanism. The payment did not establish that the gasoline complied with the contract.

London court settles jurisdiction dispute

Trafigura challenged the Cameroonian proceedings, relying on the sales contract and letter of credit, which provide for English law and jurisdiction of the High Court in London. On July 30, 2026, Justice Michael Green ordered Sonara to discontinue the proceedings in Limbe, finding that they breached the parties’ contractual agreement on jurisdiction. The ruling addressed where the dispute should be heard and the operation of the agreed payment mechanism. It did not determine whether Trafigura’s gasoline met the required quality standards.

Sonara told the London court it was considering proceedings in England to recover the €6.49 million ($7.5 million) and seek damages over the disputed cargo. Trafigura maintains that the gasoline complied with the contractual specifications.

Founded in 1993, Trafigura has grown into one of the world’s largest commodity trading groups, connecting producers and consumers across energy, metals and minerals markets. The case now shifts to the substance of the dispute: whether Sonara was contractually entitled to reject the gasoline after conflicting laboratory results, and whether it can recover the amount already paid to Trafigura.