Fuel Crisis Hits Malawi:MERA Cites Forex Shortage
Malawi is facing a severe fuel shortage, with long queues at filling stations crippling businesses and motorists taking advantage of the situation by charging exorbitant prices.
According to the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), the shortage is a result of haulers struggling to secure foreign exchange (forex) .
MERA Spokesperson, Fitima Khonje, confirmed that the failure to secure forex has exacerbated the problem but did not provide a timeline for when the situation would normalize.
This development has left many Malawians confused, especially after an earlier announcement that fuel would be imported through the Sena Corridor from Nacala or Beira in Mozambique to Blantyre in Malawi.
The fuel supply situation was expected to improve with the increased utilization of rail transport, which will enable the transportation of high volumes of fuel.
However, MERA has assured the public that the fuel industry is making every effort to stabilize the flow of fuel supplies and has urged people to avoid panic buying .
