Speaking during a press briefing in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Acting Chief Executive Officer Dan Chinthambi said the price adjustment takes effect immediately.
“Following the adjustment, petrol has increased by 34 percent, rising from K4,965 to K6,672 per litre, while diesel has gone up by 35 percent, from K4,945 to K6,687 per litre,” he said.
MERA also indicated that jet fuel (Jet A1) prices have been significantly affected by global market trends, with notable increases at both Kamuzu International Airport and Chileka International Airport.
Prices have risen by about 79 percent at Kamuzu International Airport and approximately 81 percent at Chileka.
“Paraffin has also gone up from K3,200 to K5,824 per litre, representing an increase of 82 percent,” Chinthambi added.
He explained that the conflict has disrupted key maritime transport routes that Malawi depends on for fuel imports, leading to heightened competition for limited global fuel supplies.
“The main water transportation routes used to import fuel have been affected, resulting in a scramble for available supplies,” the authority said.
Chinthambi noted that the new prices reflect the rising cost of importing fuel under the country’s automatic pricing mechanism, which is designed to ensure continued availability on the domestic market.
He emphasized that the adjustments are necessary to balance import costs with local pump prices while maintaining a steady supply.
MERA, however, assured the public that the increases are temporary and could be revised downward once global conditions stabilize.
The last fuel price adjustment was made on Jan. 20, 2026.