Activists for stable gas prices after 19% hike

Environmental activists have warned that the latest increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices could drive households back to charcoal and firewood, accelerating forest depletion. Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) yesterday raised LPG prices by 19.65 percent, from K3 740 to K4 475 per kilogramme, while maintaining petrol and diesel prices. The adjustment is effective March 4.

Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (Cepa) executive director Herbert Mwalukomo described the increase as a setback in efforts to reduce reliance on biomass, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas where many households have begun shifting to gas. “We need a lasting solution to such pressures. Government may have limits, but something However, Mwalukomo urged households already using gas to continue despite the higher cost, arguing that the environmental damage caused by charcoal outweighs the price increase.

In a separate interview, environmental activist Mathews Malata also called for price stabilisation measures, warning that gains in clean energy adoption could be reversed. “We risk a scenario where people abandon gas and return to illegal charcoal, further exerting pressure on our forests,” he said, stressing the need to balance energy access with environmental protection. According to the Malawi 2017-2027 National Charcoal Strategy, more than 97 percent of households rely on charcoal and firewood for cooking.

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Only two percent use electricity, while less than one percent use other fuels. In urban areas, about 90 percent of residents depend on biomass, with charcoal accounting for 54 percent of usage. The strategy warns that most charcoal is produced illegally and unsustainably, and that growing urbanisation could push demand beyond supply by 2030.

“These discussions started before the latest price adjustment and are at an advanced stage. Stakeholders will be informed of the outcome,” she said, adding that Mera uses an Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) that allows for downward adjustments when global prices fall.

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