Maputo, April 16, 2026 (Lusa) – Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, faced the third day of chaos on Thursday with widespread queues of motorists trying to find fuel as most stations remained closed and others required police reinforcements.
During a morning tour, Lusa saw armed police on Avenida 24 de Julho, in the city centre, trying to organise people with jerrycans at one of the few stations with fuel.
The measure follows altercations between customers at some stations since Wednesday, sparked by disputes over a few litres of fuel.
Staff have reportedly asked for payments to jump the queue, worsening local tensions.
Most Maputo petrol stations remain closed, without fuel, some for three days, while others have queues that are congesting city traffic and are limiting fuel purchases to 1,000 meticais (€13.20).
Near the stations, hundreds of people on foot with jerrycans and empty bottles wait for hours alongside dozens of vehicles. Some people sell used bottles to those hoping to secure fuel.
Reports from several provinces show this scenario spreading across the country.
The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy announced "exceptional and immediate measures" on Thursday to ensure the supply of liquid fuels in the country.
It said it would ensure the swift restocking of stations and product availability for the public.
The National Directorate of Hydrocarbons and Fuels (DNHC), the government body regulating the oil and gas sector, said the decision follows distribution constraints despite regular imports linked to the situation in the Middle East conflict.
To normalise the situation, the ministry authorised retail operators to buy petroleum products from any licensed distributor with stock, regardless of existing contracts.
The government says this will allow the rapid restocking of stations that currently see queues of hundreds of metres, widespread congestion, and closed pumps with no petrol or diesel.
"The measure aims to ensure all stations have fuel for sale and will last until distributors recover normal conditions," the DNHC said.
The DNHC called for calm and discouraged hoarding or domestic fuel storage.
Mozambique's government acknowledged "pressure" on stations on Tuesday, as fears of fuel shortages and price rises due to the conflict in the Middle East.
"We have been monitoring pressure on the pumps. Information shows stock is still available," said Minister Salim Vala, the spokesperson for the weekly cabinet meeting. He added that the government follows the matter daily.
"New prices must arrive," Mozambique's president, Daniel Chapo, said on Tuesday. He blamed the Middle East war, noting that 80% of Mozambique's imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
"As long as the war continues, we won't be able to maintain current prices [still without increases] for much longer," Daniel Chapo said.
PVJ/LYT // ADB.
Lusa
