Zimbabwe consumed 1.2 billion litres of diesel in the first nine months of 2026, reflecting increased economic activity across mining, agriculture, tourism and other productive sectors.
In an interview with the media, yesterday, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) chief executive officer, Edington Mazambani, said rising demand for diesel reflected the fuel’s critical role in powering key industries, with consumption expected to surpass the levels recorded in 2025.
“Zimbabwe’s diesel demand continues to grow in line with expanding economic activity across the country. The consumption of 1.2 billion litres in the first nine months of 2026 demonstrates the importance of diesel in supporting mining, agriculture, tourism and other productive sectors,” said Mazambani.
He said Government interventions, complemented by the participation of local fuel traders, had helped maintain supplies despite disruptions in international fuel markets.
“Despite disruptions in the global energy market, Government interventions and the participation of local fuel traders have helped sustain fuel availability.
This has been important in ensuring that productive sectors continue operating and that businesses have access to the energy resources they need,” he said.
Mazambani said the continued growth in consumption pointed to the need for effective fuel supply planning to meet the requirements of an economy whose productive activities depend heavily on reliable energy supplies.
“Mining operations require diesel to power machinery and equipment, while the agricultural sector relies on the fuel for land preparation, irrigation, harvesting and the transportation of produce,” he said.
Tourism and other commercial activities also depend on diesel-powered transport and equipment, further contributing to national consumption.
“Diesel remains a critical input across several sectors of our economy. From mining and agricultural operations to the movement of goods and the provision of tourism services, reliable fuel supplies are essential to maintaining production and supporting business operations,” Mazambani said.
He added that demand was expected to exceed the volumes recorded in 2025 as economic activity continued to drive fuel consumption.
“The demand trajectory indicates that diesel consumption is likely to surpass last year’s levels. This underscores the importance of maintaining adequate supplies and strengthening the systems that support the country’s fuel distribution network,” he said.
The rising consumption highlights the close relationship between fuel demand and economic activity, particularly in sectors that depend on diesel to sustain production, transport and service delivery.
Zimbabwe’s ability to maintain reliable fuel supplies will remain important in supporting industrial operations, agricultural output and broader economic growth as demand continues to increase.
