Fuel shortages hit Mozambique, Ethiopia and Burundi as Middle East conflict disrupts supplies and triggers regional transport disruptions.
A fuel crisis is tightening its grip across parts of Africa, with several countries reporting shortages and long queues at filling stations as supply chains are disrupted by the ongoing Middle East conflict and disruptions along key global routes.
Mozambique is the latest country to report supply challenges, with long queues seen at fuel stations and disruptions reported in cities including Maputo.
In East Africa, the crisis has also pushed up pump prices in Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, even as Kenya maintains supply under its government-to-government fuel importation framework.
Kenya’s Treasury Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi, has warned citizens to prepare for a prolonged crisis, saying the war in the Middle East has pushed global markets into a scramble for alternative fuel sources.
Mbadi said the region produces a significant share of global fuel supplies and remains a key source for African markets, meaning disruptions can quickly spread across economies.
The impact has been more severe in Ethiopia, where public and private transport has been disrupted in the capital, Addis Ababa, as shortages reduce daily diesel availability and leave vehicles parked for extended periods.
Burundi has also been hit by what officials describe as unprecedented fuel scarcity, with long queues reported at petrol stations in Bujumbura and public transport disrupted, slowing economic activity.
In Kenya, the government says it has moved to secure supplies by contracting firms including Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Emirates National Oil Company and Saudi Aramco to source fuel outside troubled supply routes and avoid shortages.
The government has ruled out calls by opposition leaders to review the G-to-G importation arrangement, with Mbadi warning that changing the framework could worsen shortages.
“If we review G-to-G we will end up with no fuel in the country,” he said.
