By Innocent Manda:
The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority has raised fuel pump prices effective October 1, 2025, citing increased landed costs of petrol and diesel despite global price decreases and a stable local currency.
According to a statement released and signed by Board Chairperson Charles Kambauwa on September 30, 2025, both petrol and diesel prices have been adjusted upwards after exceeding the ±5 percent trigger limit.
“Petrol will now be sold at MWK3,499 per litre, up from MWK2,530, representing a 38.30 percent increase, while diesel will cost MWK3,500 from MWK2,734, a 28.02 percent hike,” reads the statement.
The statement further says that despite Free-On-Board prices of petrol and diesel decreasing by 10.64 percent and 18.14 percent, respectively, higher in-bond landed costs forced the regulator to revise the retail pump prices.
“Importers were being quoted at an average market exchange rate of MWK2,350.00 per dollar, against the official MWK1,751.00, increasing landed costs of petroleum products beyond the allowable threshold,” MERA emphasized.
According to the presser, the new pump prices are aimed at ensuring sustainable fuel supply and cost-reflective pricing, with operators compelled by law to sell at or below the approved maximum prices.
“By law, all operators are required to sell petroleum products at prices not exceeding the above approved regulated maximum pump prices,” Kambauwa stressed in the official statement.
The last time the prices of fuel were revised was in November 2023, when MERA last conducted a pump price review before the current adjustments triggered by global and local market shifts.
