By MANA
Upward adjustments have been made to the maximum pump prices for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and Jet A-1 fuel, effective April 1, 2026, following disruptions in global oil supply caused by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking during a press conference in Lilongwe on Wednesday, MERA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dad Chinthambi said the increases follow a detailed review under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM), which triggers revisions when the In-Bond Landed Cost (IBLC) of petroleum products rises beyond a five percent threshold.
Chinthambi attributed the surge to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in Iran, a key transit route for the region’s fuel supply.
“The closure means we have limited supply to Malawi and neighbouring countries,” he said, noting that high demand and scarcity have pushed international prices upwards.
The CEO explained that MERA sets prices at levels that allow suppliers to maintain consistent fuel imports while keeping the product accessible to consumers.
“We set prices at realistic levels so that suppliers can maintain supply, but also so consumers can access fuel,” Chinthambi said.
Following the review, MERA set petrol at K6,672 per litre, up from K4,965, representing a 34 percent increase, and diesel at K6,687 per litre, up from K4,945, a 35 percent rise.
Kerosene increased to K5,824 from K3,200 per litre, reflecting an 82 percent hike, while Jet A-1 fuel at Lilongwe and Chileka airports now costs K7,998 and K4,523 per litre, respectively, according to Chinthambi.
Chinthambi added that MERA is closely monitoring global developments and will review prices as market conditions evolve.
“We will continue to track market conditions and adjust prices responsibly, keeping in mind both the sustainability of supply and the interests of consumers,” he said.
