Malawi’s fuel shortage is entering its second week, with motorists spending nights in queues as uncertainty grows over when supplies will return to normal.
The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) and the Ministry of Energy have yet to provide a public update on when the situation is expected to improve, leaving drivers struggling to find fuel.
Speaking to Malawi24, minibus driver James Moyo said he had spent the entire night waiting at a filling station in the hope of getting fuel.
“I didn’t sleep. Ndachezela pa filling station, kuteloko mafuta abwere ma four ndangosamba kukatulusa galimoto,” said Moyo, explaining that he had waited until around 4am before washing up and preparing to take his vehicle out.
Moyo said the uncertainty over which filling stations would receive fuel had forced motorists to queue at any station where they hoped supplies might arrive.
“People have been sleeping at that filling station for two days now, but up to date mafuta sanabwere,” he said, pointing to a filling station in Mount Pleasant where motorists were waiting for fuel.
Meanwhile, Minibus Owners Association of Malawi Secretary General Coxley Kamange has called on authorities to address the fuel shortage urgently, saying the crisis has disrupted their businesses and is causing operators to incur losses.
Kamange, told Malawi 24 that the shortage has also contributed to rising minibus fares as some operators turn to the black market, where fuel is reportedly available at higher prices.
