Audio By Carbonatix
Opposition and activists groups in Malawi have called for fresh protests over a worsening fuel crisis and the rising cost of living.
Over the last few weeks hundreds of people have been spending hours and days at petrol stations as they look for supplies.
"I think it's getting a little bit out of hand. I sincerely hope that our government will find a way to resolve this because fuel is the kind of the driving force behind all the businesses that we're doing," Subira told the BBC as she waited in a petrol queue.
Taxi driver Joel Ngonga said he had been looking for fuel for 24 hours: "I’ve been searching for fuel maybe four times today. When I go to a fuel station, they say it’s finished."
Malawi’s energy regulator says a severe lack of foreign currency is to blame for the crisis. The country is facing one of its worst economic crises with rising inflation rates that have seen the cost of food skyrocket.
In May, the Malawian government devalued the local currency, the kwacha, by 25% to try and stabilise dwindling foreign currency reserves. But the move led to a sharp increase in inflation and the cost of food.
Anger about the economic situation in the country has boiled over into the streets with protesters demanding President Lazarus Chakwera resigns.
The government has asked for more time to resolve the crisis and says the president understands the frustration of people.
The southern African nation of 19 million has the fourth highest percentage of people living in extreme poverty in the world.
Latest Stories
-
Pursue Sedinam Tamakloe first before Ofori-Atta – Frank Davies accuses gov’t of double standards
54 seconds -
TUC, PUWU pushes back against ECG, NEDCo privatisation
2 minutes -
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang courts private sector support for Free Sanitary Pad Initiative
5 minutes -
Michael Carrick: Man Utd reach agreement with ex-midfielder to take over at Old Trafford until the summer
12 minutes -
I’ve not signed or cancelled any number plate contracts — DVLA Boss
25 minutes -
Offinso crash death toll rises to three
27 minutes -
BBC seeks dismissal of Trump’s $5bn defamation lawsuit
37 minutes -
We did international activations ahead of December in Ghana 2025 – Abeiku Aggrey
39 minutes -
‘Have GH¢100,000 or don’t wed’: Duncan-Williams slams lavish weddings
40 minutes -
Decision time for Trump on Iran but what does he ultimately want?
43 minutes -
‘They just kept killing’: Eyewitnesses describe deadly crackdown in Iran
44 minutes -
Armwrestling: Ghana confirmed to host 15th Africa Armwrestling Championship in April 2026
44 minutes -
Supreme Court defers ruling on Kpandai by-election to January 28
44 minutes -
IBF congratulates John Laryea on Continental Africa Featherweight triumph
48 minutes -
Ofori-Atta is embarrassing Ghana, says Martin Kpebu
54 minutes
