The Mozambican government paid €1.7 million in subsidies to 227 public transport operators between May and June, in a bid to offset a sharp rise in fuel prices and prevent fare increases for passengers.
According to Luís Chaúque, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the disbursement represented the first round of subsidy payments to public transport operators, as reported by Lusa news agency.
The measure was adopted after the price of diesel rose 45.5% and petrol 12.1% on 7 May — increases that threatened to trigger higher fares across public transport services, including the semi-collective minibus taxis widely known as ‘chapas’.
Chaúque acknowledged that some operators had not yet received their allocated amounts, adding that those cases were being reviewed individually. ‘In this process, there have been one or two operators who did not receive the payment. These situations are being analysed on a case-by-case basis to understand what happened and to proceed with the respective payment,’ he said, as quoted by local media.
The spokesperson also noted that the number of registered transport operators continued to grow as new licences were issued. According to the latest update from the Mozambican Federation of Road Transport Associations, 1,047 new operators were registered between May and June.
Chaúque acknowledged delays in completing the process, which had moved into its second round of payments, but assured that the government was finalising the necessary procedures. ‘This process is under way and our expectation is that it will be concluded by Friday the 17th, with payment made to all registered operators,’ he stated.
Under the subsidy scheme, semi-collective passenger transport operators are eligible to receive the equivalent of approximately €491, while operators of conventional and articulated buses may receive up to €1,953. In its initial phase, the measure covers operators licensed in provincial capitals and in the Maputo metropolitan area, in accordance with the agreement reached between the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and the transport operators’ federation.
The subsidy was introduced following fuel supply disruptions recorded in April and May — a period marked by the closure of filling stations, long queues, restrictions on fuel purchases, and a reduction in public transport availability. The government attributed the disruption to the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel supply chains.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/07/15/economia/financas/governo-pagou-17-milhao-de-euros-em-subsidios-aos-transportadores/
