Maputo, April 19, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's government urged people on Sunday to ration available fuel by using public transport and working remotely while calling for preparations for possible price rises in May.
In a statement released today by the Information Office (Gabinfo), the government stated that it had reaffirmed the availability of fuel in the country, calling on operators to act responsibly and never jeopardise the public interest in the supply of these products.
“The Government informs that it will continue to work to protect the economy, families and citizens, whilst the country prepares to update fuel prices in the near future, with the next price adjustment expected to be based on products purchased at a time when international prices were high,” reads the document released by Gabinfo.
The government urged everyone to prepare for a "new normal" caused by Middle East instability. It suggested rationalising fuel use, choosing public transport, considering remote work, and other necessary measures.
Maputo streets are chaotic, with long queues of drivers trying to refuel. Most petrol stations remain closed while others are under police guard, although petrol and diesel availability has improved slightly.
This situation, linked to the Middle East conflict, has spread to other provinces.
Today, the government stated that it has found the alleged fuel crisis at petrol stations was caused by the “massive rush of motorists to filling stations”, purchasing “enormous quantities for fear of stocks running out”, the inability of some distributors to procure fuel at the relevant ports due to liquidity problems, and strong indications of fuel hoarding.
The government announced on Saturday it had begun monitoring fuel stations including checking the quantities in retailers’ tanks, and requested sales reports to understand the cause of the shortage of fuels.
"We now want to understand what is happening in the fuel distribution chain," said Felisbela Cunhete, director of the National Directorate of Hydrocarbons and Fuels (DNHC – the state's energy regulatory body). "We are checking the tanks to see if fuel exists and requesting sales reports from each station to verify if the fuel arrived and is being sold."
She questioned why fuel leaving Matola does not reach the pumps when control platforms show the product has been dispatched.
Retailers have decided to limit fuel amounts per vehicle, though the DNHC director clarified this was not a government order.
The Energy Regulatory Authority (Arene) is also monitoring petrol stations in Maputo and Matola with a view to determining the causes of high demand and supply constraints.
The ministry of mineral resources and energy approved on Thursday "exceptional and immediate measures" to ensure fuel supply and rapid restocking.
The government previously acknowledged "pressure" on stations where long queues form to refuel amid fears of stock shortages and price rises.
PME/LYT // AYLS
Lusa
