The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has introduced new pump prices following a review prompted by sharp rises in international petroleum costs, effective April 1, 2026.
In a statement signed by board chairperson Lucas Kondowe, MERA said its Energy Pricing Committee has assessed prices for March 2026 and the review compared international Free on Board (FOB) values with those used at the last adjustment on January 20, 2026.
The statement says that January average FOB prices have climbed 42% for petrol and 87% for diesel and the results approved prices rise 34% for petrol to MWK 6,672 per litre and 35% for diesel to MWK 6,687 per litre.
Both moves breach Automatic Pricing Mechanism’s five percent tolerance band, forcing an upward adjustment. MERA has indicated that its by law for retailers not to offer prices above these maximums.
MERA noted that conflict in the Middle East continues to push world prices higher and disrupt supply chains and as a temporary measure, suppliers have switched from using the previous month’s published average to fortnightly averages for the current month.
The Authority said the methodology will remain until volatility eases.
