Malawi fuel shortage causes long queues and black market surge

Malawi is facing a severe fuel crisis that has paralyzed transport and disrupted daily life, particularly in the capital, Lilongwe. Motorists have reported waiting up to 48 hours to refuel, with some sleeping in their vehicles to secure spots in long queues. The shortage has forced businesses to close, increased public transport fares, and threatened essential services such as healthcare and emergency response.

The Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) has accused filling stations of exacerbating the crisis through corrupt practices. CAMA alleges that stations are engaging in erratic distribution to fuel a black market that is now reportedly larger than the formal market, with fuel selling for between K15,000 and K20,000 per litre.

While the government has attributed the shortage to global supply disruptions and logistical hurdles, the crisis is also linked to domestic foreign exchange constraints. CAMA has called on regulators, including NOCMA and MERA, to publish daily stock levels and monitor distribution to prevent hoarding and ensure fair access across all regions.