A sharp increase in the cost of liquefied petroleum gas is driving Malawian households back to biomass fuels, worsening the country's deforestation crisis, according to a report by AfricaBrief. The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority recently raised liquefied petroleum gas prices by 19.65 percent, moving the cost from K3,740 to K4,475 per kilogram. The authority cited global supply chain pressures, freight costs, and international price hikes linked to Middle East tensions. As a result, the cleaner fuel has become unaffordable for many citizens, leading to an immediate increased reliance on charcoal and firewood.
Climate and energy consultant Peter Mwesiga noted that this shift is causing significant environmental damage. He explained that reverting to biomass accelerates land degradation and increases black carbon emissions, reversing previous progress in clean energy adoption. Environmental experts warn that the ongoing loss of forest cover will further weaken Malawi's ecological defense against severe weather events, including droughts and floods.