The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) has maintained pump prices for petrol and diesel at K5 619 and K5 863 per litre respectively, while increasing the maximum pump price of kerosene by 5.74 percent, from K4 389 to K4 641 per litre.
In a statement issued Friday, Mera board chairperson Lucas Kondowe said the decision followed a review by the Energy Pricing Committee under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM).
“In August 2026, the FOB [daily average trading prices], road freight rates, rail age, insurance, handling and in-transit losses [Inbound Landed Costs], levies, taxes and margins were the basis for the review of pump prices. Therefore, in line with the APM, Mera Board resolved to maintain the pump prices of petrol and diesel and increase the price of kerosene, effective 00:01 hours on September 12 2026,” he said.
Mera said the decision to increase the price of kerosene comes as international petroleum markets remain under pressure.
The authority also cited the continuing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East as one of the factors exerting pressure on global petroleum prices and related supply chain costs.
Mera said it will continue monitoring developments in international petroleum markets.
The authority has also reminded retailers that they are legally required to sell petrol, diesel and kerosene at prices not exceeding the approved maximum pump prices.
Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) executive director John Kapito said maintaining the prices of petrol and diesel would help curb speculation that fuel prices were going to increase.
He said recent fuel shortages in some parts of the country had been partly caused by such speculation, and called on stakeholders to ensure a stable supply of fuel.
“We know the war in the Middle East has affected the stable supply of fuel, and we are not sure what will happen tomorrow. But maintaining prices at the moment is something that, as consumers, we need to smile about. We hope stakeholders will ensure we have a stable supply of fuel,” said Kapito.
Asked about fuel availability, Mera spokesperson Fitina Khonje said the recent cases of fuel scarcity had been caused by foreign exchange shortages, among other challenges.
Khonje however said the regulator together with other stakeholders is working to ensure a stable supply of fuel.
“The forex constraint is a national issue. We appreciate that forex allocation for fuel procurement is prioritised. However, financing gaps sometimes occur, and their effects become evident over time. Aside from that, logistical challenges also impact the distribution and delivery of fuel supplies.
“Regarding the current stock-outs, the industry is taking every step to make the distribution and delivery of fuel more efficient according to available supplies. Importation is ongoing, and the gaps will gradually be resolved,” said Khonje.
Last month, Mera reduced the pump prices of diesel and kerosene following another downward adjustment in fuel prices.
The price of diesel was reduced from K6 306 to the current K5 863 per litre, representing a 7.02 percent decrease, while the pump price of petrol was maintained at K5 619 per litre.
The price of kerosene was also reduced by 8 percent, from K4 771 to K4 389 per litre
