Buy Zimbabwe calls for deepening local supply chains in fuel industry

Vusumuzi Dube, Deputy Radar Editor

Buy Zimbabwe has urged local energy industry players and the responsible authorities to strategically shift the country’s energy policy towards greater domestication of the fuel supply chain to avert external shocks and bottlenecks caused by geopolitical conflicts.

This comes on the backdrop of the recent fuel price increases triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted fuel supplies through the Strait of Hormuz that accounts for a fifth of global supply.

Commenting on the current fuel price increases, Buy Zimbabwe Advocacy and Communications Officer Elvis Masvaure emphasised the need for local energy players to make better use of local bio-energy resources in order to reduce imports.

“By investing in and prioritizing local energy production such as ethanol which is used to blend with fuel, we will be able to harness our abundant natural resources, reduce imports while creating jobs and fostering sustainable economic development. This will directly make a positive impact within the local energy industry,” said Elvis Masvaure.

Masvaure stressed the importance of local energy players making use of available local resources for the benefit of the nation.

Economist Malone Gwandu said the conflict in the Middle East is unpredictable and there is no clear timeframe for its end, therefore responsible authorities need to come up with long-term measures on how to reduce reliance on importing critical commodities.

“The responsible authorities have a duty to implement policies that favour the growth of local energy industry players such as local blenders to reduce the import component of fuel,” he said.

Gwandu also said the authorities must make use of natural resources such as lithium and solar energy for the benefit of the local automotive industry.

“The government must invest towards the development of local resources such as lithium and solar energy for use as alternative sources of energy, fostering a reduction of imports and at the same time saving foreign currency for other critical purposes,” he added.

In 2025, fuel topped the list of Zimbabwe’s imports, accounting for a US$1.7 billion outflow of foreign currency. This figure can be significantly reduced if the country produces more ethanol and increases its blending ratio.