Maputo, April 14, 2026 (Lusa) – Mozambique's government recognised on Tuesday "pressure" on fuel stations as long queues formed, at least in Maputo, amid fears of stock shortages and price hikes due to the Middle East conflict.
"We have been monitoring some pressure on the pumps, but current information indicates that stock is still available.
I cannot say exactly how many days or weeks, but the government tracks this matter daily," said Minister Salim Valá, spokesperson for the weekly cabinet meeting held in Maputo on Tuesday.
"It is a key concern for society, the economy and our country’s development. So, at this point, we can say that we recognise there is some pressure in this regard," the planning and development minister said when questioned by journalists after the meeting.
Filling stations in Maputo are seeing long queues, with dozens of customers carrying canisters and queues of cars waiting for fuel.
"Economic dynamics are often driven by perceptions and expectations, and what the media reports can cause people to rush to the pumps or maintain their normal routine. Therefore, the economy operates significantly based on expectations and perceptions," he said.
The spokesperson for Tuesday's cabinet meeting noted that Mozambique has not yet increased fuel prices, unlike several neighbouring countries.
"This is a possibility that could occur, as has happened in other countries. They did not increase fuel prices because they wanted to. But let us wait; we will manage this difficult moment and hope that the situation in the Middle East normalises so that this issue, which was not a problem before, can be overcome naturally," he said.
President Daniel Chapo warned on Monday in Maputo that the "fuel crisis" caused by the war in the Middle East could reach Mozambique "at any time". He called for a focus on public transport to mitigate these consequences.
Speaking as the leader of the governing Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) at the opening of the 2nd ordinary session of the Mozambican Youth Organisation (OJM), Chapo highlighted the government's priority in providing vehicles for public transport nationwide.
"By providing vehicles for the 15 municipalities in the central and northern zones, and for the southern zone in May, we are specifically anticipating the fuel crisis that could arrive at any time due to the war between Iran, the US, and Israel.
We can minimise the impact of this crisis with public transport," he said.
Mozambican authorities announced on Thursday that they were preparing measures to mitigate potential impacts from rising fuel prices. This comes amid unpredictability in international markets due to the war in the Middle East.
"There is a great deal of unpredictability, so it is very difficult at this stage to make any forecast, considering the current geopolitical context," said Felisbela Cunhete, Director of the National Directorate of Hydrocarbons and Fuels (DNHC). She said the country saw some price stability in January and February, followed by increases in import costs and product prices.
Fuel markets reacted quickly with significant price hikes following the disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, she said. This maritime route carries approximately 20% of the world's oil and a significant portion of its liquefied natural gas.
PVJ/RYOL // ADB.
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