Selling Fuel in ZiG Is Suicidal — ZERA Warns of Looming Diesel, Petrol Shortages
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has raised a red flag over growing calls to sell fuel in the newly introduced local currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). The regulator says doing so could destabilise the market and bring back the long fuel queues that once crippled the country.
ZERA Warns Against Selling Fuel in ZiG
ZERA’s Chief Executive Officer, Edington Mazambani, told the Daily News on Wednesday, 4 June 2025, that the country’s foreign currency reserves were not strong enough to support fuel sales in ZiG. He said continuing to sell fuel in US dollars was necessary to keep the market stable.
Mazambani warned that switching to ZiG too soon could cause a repeat of the fuel shortages that haunted Zimbabwe during the 2008 crisis. According to him, the decision to keep fuel sales strictly in foreign currency is meant to ensure Zimbabwe has reliable access to global fuel markets.
Many Zimbabweans say they’ll only start trusting the ZiG once it improves their daily lives. The currency has faced criticism since its launch, with some arguing that the government is not doing enough to back it with tangible results.
Also read: Good News For Zimbabwean Motorists: You Can Now Buy Fuel Using ZiG, But There’s a Catch
Zimbos React to ZERA’s Warning
After Crime Watch Zimbabwe shared the story on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, 5 June 2025, users flooded the platform with mixed reactions. Some supported ZERA’s warning, while others questioned the logic behind it and accused the authorities of protecting business interests.
@AsinaMari:
His not lying though,i think we have played this game way too many times,the Zig isn’t that strong todzokorora kurara in fuel que lines again kechi 5.
@GeneralSandeco:
How does this Zera guy know about foreign currency reserves? I thought Mthuli and Mushayavantu are the best people to give insight on that.
@kliff_M:
If the forex exchange system is as functional as they claim at Rbz then there won’t be any problem actually if fuel can be bought using zig then it may actually steer some confidence with general users…. If properly implimented it could be a bold wise move..
@BrineDub:
All service stations belongs to zanu pf oligarchies, that’s why that don’t want zig there , in Zambia they use kwacha for all transactions , in Botswana they use pula for everything same as SA, in Zim everything is a scam.
@boldcolours:
What about selling groceries and other products in Zig?
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The post Selling Fuel in ZiG Is Suicidal — ZERA Warns of Looming Diesel, Petrol Shortages appeared first on iHarare News.
