Maputo, May 7, 2026 (Lusa) – Mozambican business owners expect "very difficult" days ahead, particularly regarding purchasing power. Following a diesel price hike of up to 45%, the sector advocates joint action with the government to mitigate the "inevitable" impact.
"This entire impact will be passed on to final consumers. We can expect harder days," Onório Manuel, vice-president of the Confederation of Economic Associations (CTA), told Lusa.
He acknowledged that while the issue was "well-known", the extent of the fuel increases influencing all areas was not anticipated.
"Families and final consumers will face a reduction in purchasing power," he said.
The price surge stems from the impact of the Middle East war on global fuel chains.
"We must accept this situation and avoid politicising it. It has absolutely nothing to do with government management but rather the international climate," he said, identifying the drop in consumer purchasing power as a "direct impact" of the crisis.
Mozambique has faced fuel supply difficulties for several weeks, with stations across the country closed, widespread queues, and limits on diesel and petrol purchases. The conflict in the Middle East has also led to reduced transport services.
In Mozambique, diesel prices rose by 45.5% on Thursday, and petrol by 12.1%. The sector regulator justified the upward revision, citing international market prices.
Adjustments in fuel prices will increase the cost of living for families and "perpetuate" situations of inequality, the CTA warned, among other consequences for the final consumer.
"Mozambican families will face much greater difficulties in meeting basic needs and affording essential goods. These will be very difficult days. The government must design a strategy with the private sector to find ways to revive the economy," it said.
Onório Manuel acknowledged that Mozambique expects "disastrous impacts" across the entire chain, from production to product distribution. He said these effects will affect various sectors, including tourism, trade, services, and agriculture, as well as transport.
"Ultimately, no sector will remain unaffected," he said.
To mitigate the impact, he advocated strengthening public transport by introducing electric and gas-powered vehicles, measures he considers essential to alleviate the burden and support the population's survival.
He acknowledged that Mozambican companies were unprepared for the new fuel prices and called for government intervention to mitigate the effects.
"The situation was inevitable, but that does not mean companies are prepared. Mozambican firms are specialists in dealing with crises," he said, while calling for the mobilisation of funds for the productive sector.
A litre of petrol now costs 93.69 meticais (€1.23), up from the previous 83.57 meticais (€1.10). Diesel prices rose from 79.88 meticais (€1.06) to 116.25 meticais (€1.54), while illuminating paraffin increased from 66.86 meticais (€0.87) to 97.56 meticais (€1.29). Cooking gas rose from 86.05 meticais (€1.14) to 87.82 meticais (€1.15) per kilogram, and compressed natural gas (CNG) increased from 41.11 meticais (€0.54) to 52.73 meticais (€0.69) per litre.
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