A fresh increase in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Zimbabwe is drawing criticism from consumers and policy analysts, who warn that higher energy costs could place additional strain on households already grappling with a prolonged cost-of-living crisis.
The latest review by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority raised the maximum retail price of LPG to nearly US$2 per kilogram, up from about US$1.56 per kilogram only a few months ago.
The increase comes as Zimbabwe continues to face economic challenges marked by high living costs, stagnant incomes and limited access to affordable energy.
Regulators attribute the higher prices largely to international market conditions, noting that Zimbabwe imports all of its petroleum products and remains vulnerable to fluctuations in global energy markets, transport costs and supply-chain disruptions.
As a landlocked country, Zimbabwe relies heavily on imported fuel and gas supplies transported through regional trade corridors, making domestic prices particularly sensitive to changes in international markets.
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However, critics argue that taxes, customs duties and regulatory charges are also contributing significantly to the rising cost of LPG. They contend that the current pricing structure places a growing burden on households that have increasingly turned to gas as an alternative to unreliable electricity supplies.
Zimbabwe’s power sector has struggled for years with generation shortfalls, ageing infrastructure and periodic load-shedding, prompting many urban households to adopt LPG for cooking and other domestic energy needs.
For residents in off-grid communities and areas with limited electricity access, LPG has become an essential source of household energy.
Consumer advocates warn that sustained price increases could force low-income families to reduce their use of cleaner fuels and revert to firewood and charcoal, with potentially serious environmental and public health consequences.
Environmental groups have long cautioned that rising dependence on biomass fuels contributes to deforestation, land degradation and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Public health experts also note that indoor air pollution from wood-burning stoves remains a major health risk, particularly for women and children in rural and low-income households.
The debate over LPG pricing comes amid broader concerns about energy affordability across southern Africa, where many countries are facing higher fuel costs linked to global market volatility and regional supply constraints.
Economists say Zimbabwe faces the difficult challenge of balancing market-based pricing mechanisms with the need to ensure affordable access to essential energy services.
Some analysts have called for targeted support measures, including tax reductions, subsidies for vulnerable households and expanded investment in alternative energy sources to reduce pressure on consumers.
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Others argue that improving electricity generation and distribution would lessen household dependence on LPG and other costly alternatives.
The government has previously identified energy security as a priority area for economic development, with ongoing investments in power generation, transmission infrastructure and renewable energy projects.
Nevertheless, the latest LPG price increase underscores the challenges many Zimbabweans continue to face in accessing affordable energy amid broader economic pressures.
As policymakers weigh future energy reforms, the affordability of cooking fuel is likely to remain a sensitive issue for households already struggling with rising food, transport and utility costs.
