Maputo, Aug. 4, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's government said on Tuesday that it was investigating the causes of a new wave of fuel shortages across the country, following weeks of relative normalisation in supply after the crisis in April and May.
«An analysis is still underway to understand what is actually happening, given that we appear to be experiencing, or at least seeing the start of, a second wave of shortages,» said cabinet spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa, at the end of the government meeting in Maputo.
When questioned by journalists, he acknowledged that the government was aware of the situation, which has been recurring since last weekend, with petrol stations closed due to a lack of fuel and queues forming at those that are open, and assured them that the government was gathering information to determine the causes of the problem.
The return of long queues at some petrol stations has been evident for several days, particularly in the city of Matola, in Maputo province, following a lull in the fuel crisis that affected the country due to logistical difficulties caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
Between April and May, the shortage of petrol and diesel led to queues of dozens of vehicles and prompted the police's Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) to step up its presence at petrol stations that still had fuel, to ensure safety and control the influx of motorists, motorcyclists and people with jerrycans.
The fuel shortage, with petrol stations across the country closed, even hampered business activity and transport.
The price of diesel eventually rose by 45.5% and that of petrol by 12.1% on 7 May, with the government justifying the price revision on the grounds of developments in the international market and supply difficulties linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
On 12 June, the minister for energy, Estêvão Pale, said that biofuels could help mitigate the effects of volatility in international fossil fuel prices, reiterating that they should be seen as part of the strategy to diversify the national energy mix.
Speaking at the opening of the National Biofuels Seminar in Maputo, the minister acknowledged that Mozambique is facing volatility in international fossil fuel prices and the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on global supply chains.
According to Estêvão Pale, the country possesses natural, agricultural and logistical conditions favourable to the development of a national biofuels supply chain, although he acknowledged that biofuels will not replace fossil fuels in the short term.
VIYS/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
