Maputo, Sept. 30, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's government said Wednesday that the country's fuel supply is secure, despite new queues, and that Maputo has enough petrol reserves to last until a ship carrying 8,000 tonnes arrives on Thursday.
The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy said in a press release that «the fuel supply in the country is proceeding as normal», despite queues observed in recent days at some petrol stations in the capital, Maputo in particular, as well as in other provinces in the centre and north.
According to the ministry, the constraints resulted from logistical difficulties experienced over the long weekend, which disrupted the normal loading and distribution cycle.
«These constraints disrupted the regular loading and distribution cycle and prevented some petrol stations from receiving supplies within the usual restocking timeframe,» the statement said.
The ministry added that it has stepped up operations at the Matola Terminal, in Maputo province, to speed up the loading of tanker lorries destined to supply the retail network.
It also noted that on Tuesday, 1.176 million litres of petrol were loaded, close to the daily average of around 1.2 million litres, which it says shows operations have returned to their normal pace.
The government also said current reserves were sufficient to supply the city of Maputo until the next resupply vessel arrives on Thursday, carrying 8,000 tonnes of petrol.
In view of the queues reported at some petrol stations, the government has called on consumers to remain calm and recommended that they buy only what they need.
To prevent similar situations, the ministry has also announced enhanced coordination among supply-chain stakeholders, including the possibility of extending loading hours and maintaining operations on Saturdays where necessary.
This new disruption comes several months after the supply crisis that affected various regions of the country between April and May, when long daily queues formed at petrol stations, some stations temporarily closed, and fuel supply to consumers and hauliers was disrupted, leading to increased police presence at these sites.
At the time, the government attributed part of the constraints to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on international energy markets and supply chains.
In March, the government explained that around 80% of the fuel Mozambique imported originated from that region and passed through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important routes for transporting oil and petroleum products.
At the same time, the Bank of Mozambique acknowledged that some companies in the sector were struggling to access foreign currency to finance fuel imports.
Data from the central bank indicate that the country spent $236.4 million (€203.5 million) on fuel imports in the first quarter of 2026, down 1.4% from the $239.6 million (€206.3 million) spent in the same period the previous year.
In response to the supply crisis and rising international prices, the government decided on 7 May to raise administered fuel prices, a move that led to a 45.5% rise in diesel prices and a 12.1% rise in petrol prices.
PVJ/ADB // ADB.
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