Malawi: Trade Unions Call For Urgent Action Over Fuel Shortages, Soaring Black-Market Prices

The Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) has urged the government to tackle worsening fuel shortages, saying the crisis is placing an unsustainable burden on workers and households already struggling with rising living costs.

Black-market traders are selling fuel for as much as 20,000 Malawian kwacha per litre, compared with a regulated pump price of approximately 5,619 kwacha, the union said.

In a statement signed by Secretary General Charles Kumchenga, MCTU said the shortages were hurting workers, households, businesses and the wider economy.

It urged the government, through relevant ministries and agencies, including the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), to restore reliable fuel supplies nationwide.

The crisis comes as wages remain well below living costs, the union said, citing 2026 estimates from the Centre for Social Concern that a household needs about 959,522 kwacha a month to meet its basic needs. Many workers earn between 83,720 and 600,000 kwacha a month, depending on their sector and occupation, it added.

MCTU warned that fuel shortages could drive up the prices of essential goods and services, adding to inflationary pressures.

The consequences for Malawi’s economy could be severe if the situation persisted, it said, adding that workers could not continue absorbing fuel shortages and rising prices while their incomes remained largely unchanged.

The union outlined five demands, calling first for immediate government action to ensure adequate and consistent fuel supplies across the country.

It also urged decisive action against fuel hoarding, illegal trading and black-market pricing, saying these practices exploited vulnerable consumers.

MCTU called for stronger management and distribution of fuel supplies to ensure available stocks reached consumers fairly and transparently.

It also demanded regular public updates on fuel availability and the measures being taken to address the shortages.

Finally, the union urged the government to address the foreign exchange shortage, which it said was directly contributing to the fuel crisis.