Mthuli Ncube says fuel talks prevent Zimbabwe shortage

Global fuel crunch hits hard, but Zimbabwe's finance chief insists pumps stay full for months ahead thanks to backroom deals.

Mthuli Ncube fuel assurance

• Mthuli Ncube confirmed talks are locked in for enough diesel and petrol stocks.
• The government locked down supply security for the next three months.
• He spoke after an Ingutsheni Central Hospital fundraiser in Bulawayo on Friday.
• Zimbabwe stays stuck as a pure importer, taking global price hits.

Geopolitical oil shock details

• Middle East tensions spiked oil costs and squeezed supply lines.
• U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz from late February 2026.
• Brent crude rocketed to between US$107 and US$113 per barrel.
• Normal flow through that chokepoint covers about 20 percent of the world's oil.

Government mitigation steps

• Negotiations with fuel suppliers delivered firm commitments.
• Financial setups buttress the guaranteed deliveries.
• Officials moved to dodge any outright shortages domestically.
• Ncube stressed the country avoid running dry on petrol or diesel.