Mozambique government probes fresh wave of fuel shortages

“An analysis is still being carried out to understand what is actually happening, so that we can establish why we are apparently experiencing, or at least beginning to experience, a second wave of shortages,” government spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa said at the end of a Council of Ministers meeting in Maputo. Questioned by journalists, the spokesperson acknowledged that the government was aware of the situation, which has resurfaced since last weekend, with petrol stations closed due to a lack of fuel and queues forming at those still operating. He said the government was gathering information to determine the causes of the problem.

The return of long queues at some filling stations has been felt for several days, particularly in the city of Matola, Maputo province, after a period of calm following the fuel crisis that affected the country as a result of logistical difficulties caused by the conflict in the Middle East. Between April and May, shortages of petrol and diesel led to queues of dozens of vehicles and prompted the reinforcement of the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) police presence at filling stations that still had fuel available, to ensure security and manage the influx of motorists, motorcyclists and consumers carrying containers. The fuel shortage, which at the time saw petrol stations closed across the country, affected business activity and transport services.

The price of diesel eventually increased by 45.5% and petrol by 12.1% on 7 May, with the government justifying the price revision by citing developments in international markets and supply difficulties linked to the conflict in the Middle East. On 12 June, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Estêvão Pale said biofuels could help reduce the impact of volatility in international fossil fuel prices, reiterating that they should be seen as part of the strategy to diversify the country’s energy mix. Speaking at the opening of the National Biofuels Seminar in Maputo, the minister acknowledged that Mozambique faces a context marked by volatile international fossil fuel prices and the impact of the Middle East conflict on global supply chains. According to Estêvão Pale, the country has favourable natural, agricultural and logistical conditions for developing a national biofuels industry, although he acknowledged that biofuels would not replace fossil fuels in the short term.