Malawi Freedom Network 
By Suleman Chitera, MFN Reporter
October 31, 2026
President Peter Mutharika has attributed Malawi’s prolonged fuel shortages to transportation and logistical challenges, insisting that the commodity is available in neighbouring countries.
Mutharika made the remarks on Saturday upon his return from a private trip to South Africa, saying the country’s current fuel crisis was not necessarily caused by a shortage of supplies but difficulties in transporting the commodity into Malawi.
He said fuel was available at major ports in Mozambique and Tanzania, including Nacala, Beira, Tanga and Dar es Salaam.
According to the President, the main challenge is moving the fuel from these ports into the country, adding that his administration is doing everything possible to address the logistical difficulties.
Mutharika described the situation as involving objective conditions beyond the government’s control.
His remarks come amid growing public concern over persistent fuel shortages that have affected Malawi for more than a month, disrupting business operations, transportation and other economic activities.
The scarcity has also put pressure on motorists and transport operators, with concerns mounting over its wider impact on the cost of doing business and the livelihoods of ordinary Malawians.
While the President has pointed to transportation challenges as the major cause of the crisis, the country will be looking to his administration for practical measures to ensure that fuel moves from the regional ports into the domestic market and becomes readily available at filling stations.
The immediate question remains how quickly the government can resolve the supply-chain bottlenecks and restore reliable fuel availability across the country.
