By Wadza Botomani
ZOMBA/LILONGWE – A severe fuel shortage continues to paralyze parts of Malawi, with long queues resurfacing in major cities and raising fears of a full-blown national crisis.
The situation was starkly evident in the Eastern Region’s city of Zomba, where residents woke early to a near-total shutdown of fuel stations. A survey by Times360Malawi found that only one station, Petroda, was operating normally, attracting massive queues of motorists desperate for both petrol and diesel.
The crisis is equally acute in the capital, Lilongwe. A Thursday morning spot check by Times revealed that numerous filling stations in high-traffic areas including Area 18, Area 25, and along Mchinji Road were either completely dry or selling limited quantities. The shortages have forced motorists to spend hours in lines stretching hundreds of metres, bringing traffic to a standstill.
According to inside sources at the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA), the root cause of the shortage is a persistent lack of foreign exchange. The company is reportedly struggling to make timely payments to international suppliers, owing millions of dollars, which has critically slowed the release of new fuel consignments.
The problem is not confined to one region. The scenes in Lilongwe and Zomba mirror recent fuel scarcities reported in Mzuzu and Blantyre, indicating a spreading national issue.
The economic impact is already being felt by citizens. Some transport operators have begun increasing fares, citing the higher operational costs and time lost searching for fuel.
On the ground in Zomba, our reporter confirmed the grim reality: “The city is at a standstill. With only one station serving the entire area, the queue at Petroda is the only sign of activity, as drivers hope to get just enough fuel to keep moving.”
With no immediate solution in sight and foreign exchange constraints remaining unresolved, Malawians brace for further disruptions to daily life and the economy.
