117 Views LIVINGSTONE — Motorists in Zambia’s tourist capital are facing long queues and delays after a number of filling stations in the city ran out of fuel, raising concern over disruptions to transport, commuter services and tourism operations. Checks conducted by the media across Livingstone on Tuesday and Wednesday found that several service stations […]

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LIVINGSTONE — Motorists in Zambia’s tourist capital are facing long queues and delays after a number of filling stations in the city ran out of fuel, raising concern over disruptions to transport, commuter services and tourism operations.

Checks conducted by the media across Livingstone on Tuesday and Wednesday found that several service stations had no petrol or diesel at the time of the visit.

At stations that still had fuel in stock, lines of vehicles stretched into adjacent roads as drivers waited to fill their tanks. Some motorists reported queuing for more than two hours before getting service, while others said they had visited three or four stations before finding fuel.

The shortages have affected both private vehicles and public transport operators.

Taxi drivers, minibus operators on the Livingstone to Lusaka and Livingstone to Kazungula routes, and tour company drivers said the situation was increasing their operating costs and threatening bookings. Some shuttle operators servicing Victoria Falls and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park said they had reduced the number of trips or combined passengers to conserve fuel.

As of the time of publication, the cause of the shortages had not been officially communicated. The Energy Regulation Board is yet to issue a public statement on the matter.

The ERB is the statutory body responsible for regulating the energy sector, including licensing, fuel supply monitoring and consumer protection. Industry players contacted for comment said they were awaiting guidance from the regulator and from fuel suppliers on when normal deliveries would resume.

Fuel supply in Livingstone is dependent on road deliveries from depots in Lusaka and Ndola, and on cross-border movements through the Kazungula and Chirundu corridors. Logistics constraints, delayed tanker arrivals, or temporary stock imbalances at depots can quickly affect availability in border towns.

Transporters in the city said they had noticed fewer fuel tankers offloading over the past few days, but they could not confirm whether the issue was related to supply chain delays, payment processes, or distribution planning.

The timing of the shortages has heightened concern because Livingstone is a key tourism hub. The city receives thousands of domestic and international visitors each month who travel to see Victoria Falls, participate in adventure activities, and stay in hotels and lodges around the area.

Tour operators said any sustained fuel disruption could affect airport transfers, game drives, river safaris and cross-border tours into Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Hotel managers reported fielding calls from guests asking about transport availability, and some establishments said they were using reserves to keep generators running in case of power interruptions.

Commuters have also been affected. Bus and minibus fares on some routes increased slightly as operators sought to cover longer waiting times and reduced turnover. School runs and hospital trips have been delayed in some areas, with residents urging authorities to resolve the situation quickly to avoid wider social impact.

The ERB has in previous cases responded to fuel supply concerns by engaging oil marketing companies, monitoring depot stocks, and issuing advisories to the public. The Board is also mandated to ensure security of supply and to investigate any artificial shortages or hoarding.

Motorists have called for regular updates so that they can plan travel and avoid unnecessary trips across the city.

The Ministry of Energy and the Zambia Consumer Protection Agency have been urged to monitor the situation and to ensure that essential services such as hospitals, fire and emergency services, and water utilities are prioritized for fuel access if shortages persist.

Civil society groups have also asked filling stations to display clear notices on stock levels and expected delivery times to reduce uncertainty.

For now, Livingstone residents are adapting by carpooling, limiting non-essential travel, and sharing information on social media about which stations have fuel. Some drivers said they had traveled to nearby areas outside the city center in search of supply.

With tourism and cross-border trade central to Livingstone’s economy, stakeholders say a swift resolution will be important to protect livelihoods and the city’s reputation as a reliable travel destination.

Until the ERB or suppliers provide an official explanation and a restocking timeline, motorists say they will continue to queue and monitor updates closely.