Ethiopia rations fuel, prioritises key vehicles as war shortages hit

Fuel prices have risen in recent days, piling pressure on consumers in a country already grappling with high inflation of around 10% and where 40% of the population lives below the poverty line. Ethiopia will prioritise vehicles transporting essential goods and those in the public transport sector at fuel stations as the country grapples with shortages caused by the Middle East war, authorities said Tuesday. The effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas normally passes, has caused shortages in many countries.

Ethiopia, a nation in the Horn of Africa with around 130 million people, is particularly vulnerable as it imports all its petrol, primarily from the Gulf. “The government has taken measures to cope with fuel supply disruptions caused by the Middle East war and the broader international crisis,” the trade minister said in a Facebook post, listing seven categories of vehicles to be prioritised at fuel stations. They include vehicles transporting essential goods, tractors carrying agricultural produce, public transport vehicles and others.

Authorities in Addis Ababa said the war and instability have cut daily diesel supply from 9.2 million litres to 4.5 million litres. The public was urged to use fuel sparingly, walk when possible, rely on public transport and prioritise renewable energy. But by late 2025, electric vehicles accounted for just 7% of cars in the country, according to the transport ministry.