Malawi receives 31 million litres of fuel
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Maravipost
Illustrative image · Alpha Diane · Pexels · Licence PexelsMalawi has received 24 petrol trucks and 27 diesel trucks in Lilongwe to ease shortages that have caused queues in major cities. Around 31 million litres are expected to cover nearly three weeks of consumption, while supply should improve this week, according to MaraviPost.
Malawi has obtained around 31 million litres of fuel, enough to cover nearly three weeks’ needs, Energy Minister Jean Mathanga said, according to MaraviPost. On Monday 26 October, 51 tankers — 24 carrying petrol and 27 diesel — were already unloading their cargo in Lilongwe.
The spokesperson for the Transporters Association of Malawi, Frank Banda, said diesel deliveries were expected to stabilise supplies in Blantyre on Tuesday, while petrol availability was expected to reach 70% on Wednesday, thanks to other convoys that had set off from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The minister said supply would return to normal as the trucks reached filling stations.
According to data from Malawi’s energy regulator, the country consumes around 1.68 million litres of fuel per day, including 845,000 litres of petrol and 834,000 litres of diesel. The 51 trucks in Lilongwe represent slightly more than one day of national demand. The deliveries come as black-market fuel is being sold for twice the price in Malawi, according to an article published on 24 October.
