Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) says foreign exchange shortages continue to cripple fuel imports into the country, but expressed hope of stability following intervention from the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM).
Fuel supply remains unstable across Malawi with mild but recurrent shortages manifesting in Blantyre and Lilongwe while in Mzuzu, most pump stations have been dry as of this week.
In a written response yesterday, Mera consumer affairs and public relations manager Fitina Khonje confirmed that some parts of the country are at times experiencing erratic availability of fuel.
However, she said RBM has already intervened on forex supply and assured that logistical challenges were being managed by players in the fuel supply chain.
“Fuel importers’ efforts are already in progress to ensure the situation improves. The improvements will be registered and become more noticeable with time,” said Khonje.
Transporters Association of Malawi spokesperson Frank Banda corroborated Mera’s position, saying the new administration, ushered into power through the September 16 2025 General Election, was trying its best to resolve the forex challenges.
“Trucks that supply to the Southern Region have been loading at Beira Port in Mozambique and we hope that by close of business today [Wednesday] some will be entering Mwanza border,” he said.
Banda said apart from forex issues, fuel shortages in the Northern and Central regions have been compounded by reduced imports in Dar es Salaam, as the Tanzanian authorities are vigilant about fuel dumping due to their forthcoming General Election on October 29 2025.
“The fear is that some of the fuel imported through that route is being dumped in Tanzania; hence, their government is losing revenue and because of the polls, they have to be prudent,” he said.
However, he said the trucks they [transporters] sent to Dar es Salaam and Tanga ports started arriving on Tuesday at Songwe border and they expect 200 trucks to have arrived by mid-next week.
RBM spokesperson Boston Maliketi Banda said they continue to collaborate with commercial banks to support fuel importers.
He said while prioritising other essential imports such as fertiliser and pharmaceuticals, RBM is exploring ways to alleviate the immediate forex pressures.
Said Banda: “However, working with the financial sector and government, we are facilitating the financing of forex generating projects by the private sector.
“We know that this is the only sustainable way of addressing the persistent forex shortages we are all facing.”
There was no response from the National Oil Company of Malawi and Petroleum Importers Limited on the available stocks in the country.
Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Joseph Mwanamvekha said in an interview last Thursday that he is aware of forex challenges facing the country.
He said President Peter Mutharika has already engaged the donor community to help in alleviating foreign exchange challenges on top of helping out with fertiliser.
