Malawi is facing growing disruption as fuel shortages continue to affect transport, business activity, and supply chains across the country, raising fears of a wider economic slowdown.
In the capital, Lilongwe, long queues of trucks and private vehicles have formed at filling stations, with drivers often waiting for hours and, in some cases, several days to access diesel and petrol. Many motorists say they repeatedly join queues only to be turned away after supplies run out.
Transport operators say the scarcity is already affecting logistics nationwide, slowing the movement of goods and increasing costs for businesses. The Transport Association of Malawi links the crisis partly to rising global oil prices and disruptions in shipping routes, particularly amid instability in the Middle East.
With reduced fuel availability, trucking companies warn of delays in delivering essential goods, including food and agricultural inputs, creating knock-on effects across markets and supply chains. Retailers are also reporting concerns over possible shortages and rising prices if the situation persists.
Agriculture, which accounts for more than a third of Malawi’s economy and dominates export earnings, is among the hardest hit sectors. Farmers say they are struggling to transport fertiliser to rural areas and move harvested crops to market, raising fears of reduced productivity and post-harvest losses.
One frustrated driver, Prince Mapemba, described spending days in fuel queues without success, saying his business had come to a halt due to repeated fuel shortages.
Economists warn that if the situation continues, inflationary pressure could increase as transport costs rise and goods become harder to move across the country.
With limited foreign reserves and rising public debt, the Malawian government says it is under pressure to stabilise fuel supply. Authorities have indicated plans to sell about 30 million dollars’ worth of gold reserves in an effort to finance fuel imports and ease the shortage.
Officials say efforts are ongoing to restore stability in the fuel supply chain, but analysts caution that without broader improvements in foreign exchange availability and global price stability, the crisis could persist in the coming weeks.
