Addis Ababa — Egypt has ordered shops and restaurants to close at 21:00 and Ethiopia is fast-tracking electric-car imports as governments across Africa unveil emergency measures to counter fuel costs that have tripled since the Gulf crisis began.
Zimbabwe is studying a higher ethanol blend for petrol and a temporary fuel — tax cut, while South Sudan – despite pumping crude – is rationing diesel imports that power Juba’s grid, causing scheduled black-outs, according to state electricity distributor statements.
Mauritius is courting spot suppliers after a scheduled oil cargo failed to arrive, and fuel retailers in several states have been instructed to give security services, major public works and factories first claim on limited stocks.
Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the month-long retail curfew is needed because the country’s monthly energy import bill has jumped from $560 million before the conflict to $1.65 billion for the same volume. Ethiopia, which banned non-electric car imports in 2023, has waived import duties on EVs and is pressing ahead with highway charging stations every 100 km.
Officials in all countries describe the steps as short — term cushions while longer-term supply contracts are negotiated.
Source: Africanews
