On June 30, 2025, the Spanish newspaper El País reported that Spanish imports of Moroccan diesel reached a record level amid suspicions of Russian origin. Ten months later, Africa Intelligence provided new information on a case that continues to raise questions on the other side of the Mediterranean, especially since Morocco is not an oil-producing country.
“In 2025, despite international sanctions, Morocco has become the main importer of Russian-origin fuel in North Africa. A discreet Geneva-based trader has managed to position itself in this market,” claims the French media. An “enigmatic Swiss trader” is said to be at the heart of the oil deliveries from Russia to the kingdom.
The same source mentioned Niels Troost, operating through his company Paramount Energy & Commodities SA, based in Geneva. He is said to have taken advantage of the reshuffling of global energy flows to make Morocco a strategic hub for fuels from Russia.
Russian oil, subject to European Union sanctions since February 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, is sold for around less than $22 per barrel compared to market prices. It is worth noting that the Twenty-Seven decided in October 2025 to further tighten measures targeting the Russian energy sector. This measure includes a total halt to Russian LNG imports by the end of 2026, as well as actions targeting the “ghost fleet” of tankers used by Moscow to evade sanctions.
Spanish media have repeatedly reported the presence of ships linked to this fleet in or near Moroccan waters in the Mediterranean.
Missing from Moroccan Political Debate
The circumvention of European sanctions does not rely solely on the use of tankers. It also involves the involvement of financial institutions. In this regard, Africa Intelligence mentions the role of two Moroccan banking entities, which are said to have participated in these operations. Since March 2022, the European Union has excluded several major Russian banks from the SWIFT financial messaging system in order to limit Moscow’s ability to finance its war effort.
While international media continue to focus on the oil exchanges between Rabat and Moscow, the topic has disappeared from the Moroccan political debate. The initiative of some opposition parties to form a parliamentary inquiry committee failed in April 2023 after the withdrawal of the USFP.
Meanwhile, the government led by Aziz Akhannouch has downplayed the extent of the increase in imports of Russian oil products, citing a limited progression. “In 2020, the share of Russian diesel imports was 9%. It dropped to 5% in 2021, before rising again to 9% in 2022,” said the executive’s spokesperson, Mustapha Bañtas, during a press briefing on March 2, 2023.
