Malawi raises fuel prices  in response to  currency weakness

December 16, 2020 Wanga Gwede- Nyasa Times 34 Comments

The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) has raised fuel prices upwards effective midnight, a move that is likely to push up prices for maize in the country where there are already food shortages.

Changes to fuel supplies

The price increase is partly in response to weakness in Malawi’s kwacha currency against the U.S. dollar  – by 3.37 percent since May this year – as well as changes in the cost of importing the fuel.

Addressing the media in Lilongwe on Wednesday evening, Mera spokesperson Fitina Khonje said the Authority  it had increased the pump price of petrol by 20.87 percentfrom K690. 50 to K834. 60  and  diesel by 24.31 percent  from K664. 80 to K826. 40 to reflect the weakened kwacha and a soaring inflation rate.

Paraffin has been increased from K441. 70 to K613. 20 representing 38.83 percent.

The kwacha has come under pressure partly from falling export revenue from the country’s main crop, tobacco and general weakness in African currencies due to falls in commodity prices.

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34 replies on “Malawi raises fuel prices  in response to  currency weakness”

  1. When you get position by disloyalty, God never stands with you…For God doesn’t reward disloyalty and He will never do that..Everything is falling apart, because of disloyalty Chakwera and Chilima demonstrated… And now Malawians who ignorantly supported your disloyalty are paying the price while you are enjoying their taxes…God will not leave you unpunished

  2. Pingback: Malawi increases fuel prices in response to currency weakness – Ola Petroleum Depot Trading Blog

  3. You placed VAT on cooking oil and this time you are raising fuel by over 20%? are you thinking of an ordinary Malawian in the village?SHAME ON TONSE ALLIANCE you talk a lot and you are unable to implement.

  4. I saw this coming and more things on the way. The Tonse alliance has failed many times better the previous government imagine our friends from AHL Since September 2020 have not recieved their salaries yet there is a government in place by the name of Tonse. Imagine workers are chased in their respective homes with the owners of the house but no one is there to talk this big issue even in radios called zikachitika mumvera kwa ife. Its better kwa Pharoah anthu amadya and they were recieving their salaries than where we are. Expect another tough times in Malawi and soon or later people will stand up and fight their rights again.

    1. This story is full of lies and we asked our friends at AHL and said you just hate Alliance. They also told us that it was totally overdue to sack Matabwa a big thief at AHL and needed to be arrested, they said it.

  9. Poti mumati anzanu aja amatibera aMalawi for raising fuel prices when prices at the international markets were low, ndee pano nanunso mukutibera?? Why would you raise fuel prices at a time when the country is already grappling with rising food prices and Covid-19 impacts? To add salt to the wound, at the middle of the month!!!!

  14. Zayambako, kuyendesa economy ya dziko simaewela. Si kuyankhula-yankhula kapena kuyenda-yenda. You need to be in office with real economics to improve the economy of Malawi. Can Chimwendo Banda, Mkaka, Mluso, Mia and new PSs can help on the economy of Malawi? I doubt.

  15. Ok, I hope it’s not sabotage by those in government but affiliated to dpp who just want to turnish the good image of tonse alliance, coz we were told fuel prices were going to go down . Why go up now?

    1. It’s pure economic fundamentals. Automatic Price Adjustment with the Kwacha depreciating means the price has to adjust accordingly. Pointing fingers at DPP going forward would be meaningless, they have to own their failures. Let’s stop this issue of failing to acknowledge and accept our responsibilities by pointing to others for their failures.

  16. Tangoyamba kumene; inu chilowereni aChakwera m’boma mvula yoyamba siimeneyi, ndiye mudya katatu bwanji? Osadanda, mafuta atsikanso, tiri ndi Economist amene akuthandiza kuyendetsa boma. Khale-khale ma mega farm district iliyonse akhadzikitsidwa inu mtima m’malo osadya m’fulumira, ntchito talemba kale 0.4 million poti tangokhala m’boma miyezi 5 basi; pomatha 7 months 0.6 million tiwonjezera kuti mukwane 1 million tinalonjeza ija. Boma iloo!! Fertiliser ndiye mpweche, osanena; Forex kutapa kutaya, commodities muma shop dzosika mtengo, magesi a ESCOM osanena, kundende onse oba nkhuku tinawatulutsa pano kuli anamatetule, zolembana ntchito pamtundu panu zinatha ndi a DPP. Pano tili busy kuyendera ma project kuti Malawi wokomera tonse alliance awoneke. Eeeeh!! changu pa ntchito is our”Motto”

    1. Do you know that diesel in the UK is almost double that price in Malawi? On average MK1180 and that’s a country with own refineries. Your fuel is heavily subsidised and who is paying for all that, one wonders.

    2. The elderly need to be taken care of by the people who love to do care work and understand the elderly s needs..and people who know how to care and are supportive… Not just for financial gain and end up not giving proper care and support to these vulnerable people.. Stay in your country.. The elderly and disabled in malawi need you to take care of them.. Please look after your painful balls

      1. Mwalusatu. I stayed there for sometime during my MSC studies..I took care of them in Harrogate, various homes. Some offered me a full time job. I was good. I am currently taking are of my 92 year old uncle. My experience in the UK gave me fundamental care skills. Usamalankhule ngati ukunyerA Chitsiru

  22. It makes economic sense to increase the prices. The problem is the political front. These folks vomited alot in time past. They spoke as if they will control the external variables/shocks and literally spoke ill of the previous government which was even more excellent in managing the economy than themselves. This is just the beginning, the Kwacha is supposed to be trading at a depreciated rate than currently is. We should expect then more and more increases unless government Jack up fast. These guys are sleeping on the job. Just fixated on silly things like Bushiri.

  25. Shame on you mr chilima, you lied to us that dpp government overpriced fuel to cover their theft, and that the fair pump price should be k523 per litre. And now you have raised the price by 38%, which means almost all other products prices will also go up. I swear to never vote for tonse liars again.

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