Parliament Demands Answers From Minister Over Zimbabwe Fuel Price Surge

Energy Minister July Moyo

Parliament has called on Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo to deliver an urgent ministerial statement after the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority raised fuel prices this month.

The request comes after two successive fuel price increases in Zimbabwe in March 2026. On March 4, diesel rose from US$1.52 to US$1.77 per litre, while petrol increased from US$1.56 to US$1.71. A second adjustment on March 18 pushed diesel to US$2.05 and petrol to US$2.17 per litre. Authorities have attributed the hikes to rising global oil prices, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, with crude oil prices climbing above US$100 per barrel.

Speaking in the Parliament of Zimbabwe on Thursday, Marondera Central MP Caston Matewu raised concern over the scale of the increases, noting that Zimbabwe fuel prices have risen far more sharply than in neighbouring countries.

“We take note of the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East… which has caused the price of oil to increase in the past few weeks,” Matewu said. “However, the average increase between January and now in fuel in the SADC region is around 5%, but the increase in Zimbabwe between January and now is almost 40%. This is a massive discrepancy.”

His remarks highlight growing concern about fuel costs in Zimbabwe, which are now significantly higher than regional averages.

Matewu urged Minister Moyo to appear before Parliament to explain the drivers behind the sharp increases and the widening gap between Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries.

“It is with that… that we ask that an urgent Ministerial Statement… be given… to address why our fuel is so expensive,” he said.

The request reflects mounting pressure on the government to explain the fuel price crisis in Zimbabwe, as rising pump prices continue to drive up transport costs, inflation, and the overall cost of living.

The latest increases are expected to have ripple effects across the economy, with higher fuel costs feeding directly into food prices, public transport fares, and business expenses. While global oil price movements remain a key factor, lawmakers are increasingly questioning whether domestic policies, taxes, and supply chain costs are amplifying the impact locally. With petrol now at US$2.17 per litre, attention is shifting to how authorities plan to manage the situation and whether policy adjustments could help cushion consumers.

Zimbabwe fuel prices