Mozambique: Government Concerned At New Wave of Fuel Shortage

What the report says

Mozambique’s government says it is worried about a new round of fuel shortages affecting several parts of the country, reviving a problem that also hit in April and May. The report, published by Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique and distributed by AllAfrica, says the earlier crisis led to long queues at filling stations in Maputo and other cities.

The article says authorities previously linked the fuel disruption to international market pressures tied to the conflict involving Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. It also notes that about 80% of Mozambique’s fuel imports move through routes connected to that strait, making the country vulnerable to supply shocks. In response to the earlier crisis, the government raised prices for major liquid fuels by as much as 45.5% in early May.

Officials also pointed to bankrupt fuel distributors and a shortage of foreign currency, especially US dollars, as contributing factors. Government spokesperson and Minister of State Administration Inocêncio Impissa said after a cabinet meeting that the government is still examining the causes of the latest shortage and gathering information to determine what should be done.

The development matters because repeated fuel shortages can affect transport, prices and broader economic activity in Mozambique, especially when supply disruptions overlap with limited access to foreign currency and dependence on imported fuel.