Maputo, 27 Apr 2026 (Lusa) – The fuel crisis in Maputo is imposing daily sacrifices on drivers, passengers, and hauliers, forcing many to leave their cars at home and rely on public transport to maintain their routines.
Edmilson Mucavele waits at a public transport terminal amidst Maputo’s hustle and bustle for the second of three buses needed to reach home. Despite owning a car, the fuel crisis affecting the country for nearly two weeks has forced him to leave it parked. He now faces a routine of long waits and multiple public transport connections.
"It is quite frustrating. I left my car at home due to the lack of fuel," he told Lusa. He kept a watchful eye on the minibuses entering and leaving the terminal, hoping for one with enough space to take him to his destination.
Maputo has been facing chaotic scenes on several streets, with widespread queues of drivers attempting to refuel. Many petrol stations remain closed while others have required a police guard, although the availability of petrol and diesel has shown slight improvements recently.
The situation, linked to the conflict in the Middle East, is spreading to other provinces. The government has warned that fuel prices must rise, following the trend in neighbouring countries, as import costs have soared due to the conflict.
This dilemma affects more than just transport operators. At stops across the capital, hundreds of people wait for transport to start their day, highlighting the impact of the crisis on mobility, the local economy, and daily life.
Over the last two weeks, Mucavele searched almost every petrol station in the city without success before abandoning the hunt. "Now I am stuck waiting for the 'chapa' [minibus], and when they do appear, they are very full," he said.
"Some minibuses stop mid-journey because they run out of fuel, forcing us to find others. It is causing a huge disturbance, it hasn't been easy," he said.
Previously used to the comfort of his own car, he now faces daily overcrowding on public transport, a routine that exposes him to significant discomfort.
The problem also affects Idélcio Castiano, whose usual work lift was replaced two weeks ago by a daily struggle with public transport due to the fuel shortages.
"Over the last two weeks, the answer has been to use the 'chapa' [minibuses]; there is no other alternative," he said, expressing concern over the scarcity of chapa vehicles, "especially in the early morning and at the end of the day." He described the recent scenes at bus stops as "chaos," with frequent delays and increased costs due to the multiple connections now required.
"Previously, at this time, the buses were half-empty, but for the last two weeks, it has been chaos almost all day," he said.
Pedro Zimba appealed to the authorities to take action so that Mozambicans "do not suffer." He said that travel has become increasingly difficult, initially due to impassable roads and now aggravated by the fuel crisis.
"We are suffering from this situation, we complain day after day. In truth, we leave everything in God's hands. Only God can solve this country's problems," he said from inside a minibus while waiting to start his journey. He acknowledged the current situation is uncomfortable, particularly because of the recurring delays in reaching his workplace.
Almiro Cumbana, a passenger transport driver in Matola, on the outskirts of Maputo, for 10 years, said that working has become very difficult due to the nightly search for fuel. "Lately we have to work during the day and join queues at night to get fuel," he said, noting that the situation has lasted about two weeks. He said fuel availability is the only plausible solution to restore normality.
"Increasing the price will not change anything, it will only make the situation worse," he said.
Elder Mchave, a driver for five years, acknowledged the precariousness of the situation, which is marked by an incessant search for fuel.
"We are struggling, we cannot work during the day. We might only manage to get five litres; some pumps only allow us to fill up to 1,000 meticais [€13.4]," he said, explaining that, in some cases, drivers are forced to leave their vehicles parked and walk to petrol stations with jerry cans, in the hope of getting some fuel.
"If we don't refuel, we can't work that day, and it ends up hurting us because because we can’t make ends meet. Some minibuses end up stranded in the middle of the road due to the lack of fuel," he said.
With the imminent rise in fuel prices announced by the government for early May, Mchave anticipates an "even worse" scenario for everyone. "It won't make anyone's life easier because we all depend on fuel, and if fuel goes up, we are forced to increase fares," he said.
Last week, the government requested rationing available fuel and the use of public transport and remote working. Authorities appealed for residents to prepare for a likely rise in fuel prices in May.
LCE/RYOL // AYLS
Lusa
