Long queues at City Center as fuel shortages continue throughout Malawi

Lilongwe, Malawi – The fuel crisis in Malawi continues to worsen, with long queues at filling stations becoming a daily challenge. On Saturday, January 4, 2025, the situation was no different as motorists began lining up for fuel as early as 4:00 a.m. at the Total Filling Station in the City Center. By 9:00 a.m., there was still no sign of fuel delivery, with cars waiting in multiple directions, creating a chaotic and frustrating situation for drivers, business owners, and travelers.

The fuel shortages have been ongoing for several weeks, exacerbated by supply chain disruptions and foreign exchange challenges that have hindered the timely importation of fuel. The Total Filling Station, one of the busiest in the area, had its pumps dry, causing long delays and mounting frustration among the customers waiting for the fuel to arrive.

As the hours went by, frustration continued to grow among the motorists. “I have been here for over three hours now,” said Chikondi, a taxi driver. “I’ve already lost a whole day of work, and I’m not sure when I’ll even get to fuel up. This situation is affecting our livelihoods.”

Business owners in the area expressed similar concerns, with some small businesses relying on fuel for generators to keep operations running. “We are already facing challenges with electricity outages, and now we can’t even access fuel for our generators,” said Grace, who owns a small retail shop in the City Center. “This is becoming unbearable.”

Travelers also found themselves caught in the chaos, with many heading to the bus stations or embarking on long journeys to other parts of the country. Several travelers were stranded in the City Center, unable to find transport because the minibuses and buses were grounded due to the fuel shortage.

“I have been waiting here for almost two hours, and I am unsure when the buses will be moving,” said James, a student who was planning to travel to Blantyre. “This situation is delaying my plans and causing a lot of inconvenience for all of us.”

The government has acknowledged the ongoing fuel shortage and has promised to take measures to address the supply issues. The Ministry of Energy has stated that efforts are underway to resolve the foreign exchange challenges that have impacted fuel imports. However, many Malawians remain skeptical about how quickly the situation will improve, as it continues to disrupt both business and daily life.

As the fuel queues grow longer, many are hoping for a swift resolution to the crisis. For now, motorists and business owners can only wait, while the government works to find a lasting solution to the fuel shortage that continues to affect the entire nation.