Malawi's Elections Loom Amidst Fuel Shortages and Economic Strain

Wed Oct 22 2025 21:01:45 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Malawi prepares for its upcoming general elections, widespread fuel shortages and economic challenges overshadow the political landscape, leading to widespread public frustration. Candidates are vying for votes, but many citizens prioritize basic necessities over elections.

With general elections approaching in Malawi, the focus is less on candidates and more on the long queues for petrol, reflecting a nation grappling with fuel shortages, rising living costs, and economic despair. Voters express skepticism about real change, with many young people particularly affected as they engage in survival tactics amidst declining enthusiasm for the electoral process.

The queue to get fuel rather than the queue to vote is what is on the mind of many Malawians as Tuesday's general election approaches.

Prolonged petrol shortages, along with regular power cuts, the rising cost of living, hunger, poverty, inequality, and youth unemployment add to the tangible frustration here.

The presidential, parliamentary, and local council candidates are competing for votes against a background of cynicism about what might actually change.

In a sign that money is tight, electioneering has been somewhat muted compared to the past. This is despite the presidential race being seen as a rematch between the incumbent, Lazarus Chakwera, and the man he beat in 2020, then-President Peter Mutharika.

There are 15 other candidates. But the usual colourful campaign carnival is missing. The free T-shirts usually doled out with abandon to whip up enthusiasm are more limited. There are fewer giant election billboards on the nation's main roads.

Back in the snaking petrol lines, patience runs thin, which has at times led to fist fights.

Sensing the fuel shortage was becoming an election issue, Chakwera has tried to tackle it head-on. In a televised address, eight days before polls open, he acknowledged the frustration and apologised. The president then turned his fire on allegedly corrupt officials, accusing them of deliberately sabotaging the oil market.

Like fuel, new job opportunities are also hard to come by. To put food on the table, young men have been selling petrol and diesel using small plastic containers at five times the official price.

Locals in Mangochi state that preying on desperate motorists is the only way to survive, as rising food costs—over 30% in the past year—combined with stagnant wages, constrict their ability to afford basic needs.

The high inflation rate has been partly attributed to a shortage of foreign currency forcing importers to resort to the expensive black market for U.S. dollars, and subsequently passing those costs onto consumers.

Half of registered voters are under 35 years old, adding particular emphasis on how economic troubles could affect young people's voting behaviour.

Yet, the leading presidential candidates, Chakwera (70) and Mutharika (85), are considerably older than many of the electorate. Concerns for the future and job availability have many young voters feeling disillusioned.

With the elections on the horizon, a substantial number of young citizens express a lack of enthusiasm, stating that previous elections have not improved their situation.

Mutharika's campaign rallies bring out more supporters who reminisce about a time they believe was better under his leadership. In contrast, Chakwera promises a future investment in Malawian children as a part of his election platform.

The coming weeks will determine who will take the reins in this economically strained and politically divided nation, with many hoping for a leader who can address urgent needs and economic hardship.