By Mercy Matonga:
Details have emerged that the Government-to- Government (G-to-G) fuel deal that Malawi signed with its Kenyan counterpart is expected to run for 10 months.
It is not known how the government will maintain fuel supplies thereafter.
The Daily Times has sourced correspondence between Ministry of Energy and National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) which confirms details of the agreement.
According to the letter, signed by Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola and dated February 11 2025, the agreement will be in effect from March to December 2025 and government has designated Nocma as the agency to oversee the G-to-G arrangement.
“I, Ibrahim Matola, Minister of Energy, by virtue of the powers vested in me by Section 6A(2) of the Liquid Fuels and Gas (Production and Supply) Amendment Act, 2025, do hereby nominate the National Oil Company of Malawi as a government agent responsible for the importation of diesel and petrol into the country through Government-to- Government fuel supply arrangement,” reads the letter.
The letter further says the purpose of the arrangement is remedying the current fuel crisis in the country and giving the country adequate time to finalise processes towards direct importation from Gulf oil-producing countries.
“The Government-to-Government Fuel Supply Arrangement with the Government of the Republic of Kenya will cover the period between March and December 2025 (10 months). Given under my hand at Lilongwe this 11th day of February 2025,” the letter reads.
Principal Secretary for Energy Alfonso Chikuni refused to comment on the issue, referring us to the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera).
“Mera might be in a position to comment because I might not be aware of these new developments,” Chikuni said.
Nocma spokesperson Raymond Likambale also refused to comment on the matter but confirmed that Nocma is the government agent.
“Nocma is an agent appointed by the Ministry of Energy. The ministry is the policy holder. Allow us to refer you to the ministry,” Likambale said.
Minister of Information, who is also government spokesperson, Moses Kunkuyu asked for ample time before he could comment on the issue.
Ministry of Energy spokesperson Austin Theu also asked for ample time.
Last year, President Lazarus Chakwera travelled to the United Arab Emirates for talks on G2G fuel. The details have remained scanty.
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