BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The time Malawians thought the new dawn and hope for the better has come, they have been stubbed again on the back with insenstive and unreasonable fuel prices hike.
The new prices are K4,965 per litre for petrol, up from K3,499, and K4,945 per litre for diesel, up from K3,500. This represents a 41.9% increase for petrol and 41.29% for diesel.
With justification of using and reinstatement of the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) due to 5% loss gains on the international market, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) Board Chairperson Lucas Kondowe thought it wise to hike fuel prices.
MERA justifies the increase as necessary to prevent fuel shortages and preserve foreign exchange, citing artificial pricing that led to smuggling and depleted reserves.
Kondowe and MERA officials failed to use their heads to sense any economic challenges Malawians are currently facing that further fuel prices hike will continue to hunt ordinary Malawians while themselves enjoy life in their comfort homes.
Do really Kondowe and MERA officials understand that any fuel prices hike, automatically pushes also goods and services prices, inflation? What urgency, pressure MERA had to hike fuel prices at 41%?
The fuel prices hike comes also barely four months Malawians endured the same decision.
This is despite President Peter Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) assurance before September 16, 2025 to serve Malawians based on their interests not Kondowe’s pockets interests.
President Mutharika bares the consequences of this unreasonable and insensitive decision towards his leadership in the next four years.
Malawians and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have expressed their anger, displeasures on Mutharika on this unreasonable decision of keeping hurting the nation.
Here are the reactions for Mutharika to act swiftly on insensitive fuel prices hike:
Centre for Social Concern (CFSC) warns that the latest fuel price increase is set to deepen the financial strain on households across Malawi than ever before.
CFSC Economic Justice Programmes officer Agnes Nyirongo observes that the fuel prices hike will worsen socioeconomic challenges in the country, as most families are already struggling with economic constraints.
“Without targeted mitigation measures, the fuel hike could worsen poverty levels and reduce household purchasing power,” Nyirongo said.
She further notes that households will face increased costs for transport, food, and other essentials, further squeezing already tight budgets.
“The fuel hike will translate into higher minibus fares, making commuting to work or school more expensive,” Nyirongo explained.
Echoing the same, Human rights advocate Edward Kambanje has criticised fuel price hike, saying the move reflects a failure of government leadership to shield citizens from severe economic shocks.
Kambanje’s remarks come after the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) announced a sharp increase in fuel prices of over 40 percent for both petrol and diesel, effective January 20, 2026.
He observes that said automatic pricing is not inherently flawed but becomes harmful when implemented without social cushioning.
Kambanje warned that fuel price hikes have a ripple effect across the economy, driving up transport costs, food prices and the cost of basic goods.
He further argued that fuel prices cannot stabilise without first addressing currency instability, noting wide disparities between the official exchange rate and the parallel market, where the Kwacha is reportedly trading at around K240 to one South African Rand.
Kambanje called on government to restructure the fuel pricing framework to balance market realities with social protection, urging authorities to intervene in order to protect citizens from deepening economic hardship.
It’s up to Mutharika to make the right decision to please Malawians who voted him into power not MERA, Kondowe, IMF, World Bank and other colonial minds.