Load shedding: 25% of Zim's import bill is for diesel in bid to keep the lights on

A least 25% of Zimbabwe's import bill for the month of June was for diesel, latest figures from ZimStats have shown.

This is higher than the 15% average for the last couple of years.

The increase in diesel imports come at a time Zimbabwe has been facing protracted power crisis characterised by daily outages lasting up to 18 hours that has forced households and industry to resort to the use of generators for energy. Mobile network operators for example are now using 3 million litres of diesel per month to power generators at base stations up from 500 000 litres before the energy crisis.

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The imported diesel was valued at US$112.4m in June which is the 2nd highest monthly out turn since 2016.

• READ: Eskom power supply brings relief to Zimbabwe

In total Zimbabwe imported $475m worth of goods, the highest in six months with fuel taking up the biggest chunk. 

This is at a time exports fell to $240m.