By Staff Reporter,
Minister of Information and Media, Cornelius Mweetwa says the country should expect a rise in fuel prices due to global factors, particularly ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking during a two-day workshop on election reporting organized by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) in Choma, Mr. Mweetwa noted that while the Hakainde Hichilema administration had implemented policies and interventions that helped reduce fuel prices starting April 2025, external developments are now threatening those gains.
He explained that the previous decline in fuel prices had positively impacted key economic indicators, including inflation, which has dropped to single digits for the first time in over five years. Additionally, the exchange rate has improved, creating a more favourable environment for business.
However, Mr. Mweetwa warned that a potential increase in fuel prices could reverse some of these gains, as fuel plays a critical role in determining the cost of producing and transporting goods and services, ultimately affecting prices on the market.
He stressed that the anticipated rise is not a result of government policy but rather the impact of international conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, which continue to disrupt global markets.
Mr. Mweetwa added that the situation highlights President Hichilema’s consistent message that global peace is essential, noting that conflicts in one part of the world inevitably have far-reaching consequences, even for countries not directly involved.
