By Chisomo Phiri
Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola says he is optimistic that the country will soon resume uninterrupted fuel supply.
This follows President Lazarus Chakwera’s visit to Abu Dhabi, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss bilateral agreements, including the supply of petroleum products.
In an interview,Matola said the President’s visit will pave the way for a policy shift in fuel procurement.
He said while the open tender procurement system will not be abandoned, the government will adopt Government-to-Government fuel transactions to bypass middlemen and reduce costs.
Matola noted that Malawi’s long supply chain, coupled with its landlocked position, makes it vulnerable to exploitation by middlemen.
The Minister cited the distances from Dar es Salaam to Lilongwe (1,700 km), Beira to Blantyre (900 km), and Nacala to Malawi (700 km) as examples of how the supply chain can be abused.
He emphasized that the new system will lead to a long-term, sustainable fuel supply, as it eliminates the need for agents in the petroleum business.
President Chakwera also invited UAE investors to explore opportunities in Malawi’s agriculture, tourism, and mining sectors.
