Fuel Shortage Crisis in Liwonde: Long Queues as Prices Surge

By Burnett Munthali

In Liwonde, residents are experiencing severe fuel shortages, with long queues forming at petrol stations as people scramble to buy fuel for their vehicles. The scarcity of fuel has led to widespread frustration, as motorists are forced to wait for hours in line, hoping to secure enough fuel to keep their vehicles running.

• Malawi Police Service Gets New Leadership in Administration
  Share Listen to this article By Suleman ChiteraAugust 25, 2026 The Malawi Police Service has strengthened its senior leadership following the appointment of Evalista Mvula Chisale as Deputy Inspector General of Police responsible for Administration, with immediate effect. The appointment was made by the Malawi Police Service Commission following a meeting held in Blantyre and…
• DPP Leadership Under Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika Promises Stability, Development and Stronger Governance
  Share Listen to this article By Suleman ChiteraAugust 25, 2026 The leadership of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), under the stewardship of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, is positioning itself as a government focused on restoring stability, strengthening national institutions and accelerating Malawi’s development agenda. With Professor Mutharika at the helm, the DPP administration is…
• Shire Valley Media praises Press Cane’s operational transparency
  Share Listen to this article By Suleman Chitera Shire Valley Media Club has commended PressCane Limited for opening its operations to journalists, saying the company’s decision to host a first-hand tour has helped provide a clearer understanding of its activities, challenges and contribution to the region. The Monday tour gave journalists firs-hand exposure to Press…
• The Mpinganjira Derby, father-son face off
  Share Listen to this article Wanderers face Ekhaya FC in Airtel Top 8 final By Suleman Chitera It is going to be epic! It is going to be history in the making for Malawian football administration and sponsorship. Mighty Wanderers, sponsored by business mogul Thom Mpinganjira will battle it out against Ekhaya FC, sponsored by…
• Scorchers Reap Millions After Historic World Cup Qualification
  Share Listen to this article By Suleman ChiteraAugust 25, 2026 LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi’s historic Scorchers campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) continues to bring financial rewards, with the national women’s football team receiving millions of kwacha in recognition of its remarkable achievement of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World…
• Malawi Power Crisis Deepens as EGENCO Reveals Major Generation Problems and More Blackouts Loom
  Share Listen to this article By Malawi Freedom NetworkAugust 25, 2026Lilongwe, Malawi Malawi’s electricity crisis is deepening, with the Electricity Generation Company (Malawi) Limited (EGENCO) confirming that several of its generating units are operating below capacity while one major unit at Nkula B remains completely out of service. The development has raised fresh concerns over…
• Malawi’s Mining Boom Raises Big Questions: Who Will Control the Country’s Mineral Wealth?
  Share Listen to this article By Suleman ChiteraMalawi Freedom Network25 August 2026 Malawi stands at a mining crossroads Malawi is entering a potentially transformative period for its mining industry, with uranium, rare earths, rutile, graphite and niobium projects attracting increasing attention from international investors. But alongside the promise of foreign exchange, jobs and economic growth…
• NOCMA Loses US$403,605 in Suspected Cyber Fraud as Police Probe K700 Million Payment
  Share Listen to this article By Malawi Freedom NetworkAugust 25, 2026 LILONGWE, Malawi — The National Oil Company of Malawi Limited (NOCMA) is investigating a suspected cyber-fraud incident in which US$403,605 — approximately K700 million — was transferred to a fraudulent bank account after criminals allegedly impersonated Mozhandling Limited, a company providing services linked to…

One of the frustrated customers, Chikondi Idrisa, expressed his concerns and called on fuel companies to raise prices rather than allow the commodity to become scarce. “It would be better if the prices were adjusted upwards so that the fuel is readily available, instead of us waiting in these long lines with no guarantee that we will get any,” Idrisa said.

The fuel shortage has had a ripple effect on various sectors, with business operators who rely on vehicles being the hardest hit. Many have been forced to hike their transportation fares in response to the crisis. For example, some transporters operating the route between Balaka and Liwonde have increased their fares from K2000 to K2500 due to the rising costs associated with fuel scarcity.

This situation is causing widespread inconvenience to residents and travelers alike, as transportation costs continue to rise in response to the fluctuating fuel supply. As of now, there is no clear indication of when the situation will normalize, leaving many in Liwonde and surrounding areas struggling to cope with the impact of the fuel shortage.

The government and fuel suppliers are being urged to address the crisis quickly to prevent further disruptions to businesses and daily life in the region.