PM Abiy Calls for Nationwide Fuel Conservation as Crackdown on Illegal Trade Intensifies

EBR_News Mar 16, 2026

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has issued an urgent call for strict fuel conservation across Ethiopia, citing severe disruptions in global oil supplies caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict that has made it increasingly difficult for importing nations to secure consistent deliveries, according to a statement posted on his social media pages.

The Prime Minister urged fuel distributors, gas station operators, and the general public to prioritize essential services and use fuel responsibly until regular supply chains are restored. “We must all act with a sense of responsibility by saving fuel and prioritizing basic necessities,” Abiy stated, emphasizing that collective discipline is required to navigate the current global energy challenge.

The appeal follows a nationwide crackdown announced last week by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide, who warned that legal action has begun against entities accused of selling subsidized fuel above government-mandated prices. The government allocates more than $4.2 billion annually to import petroleum products, with current subsidies reaching 98.29 birr per liter for white diesel and 73.56 birr for gasoline compared to international delivery prices at Djibouti port.

Authorities have initiated legal measures targeting traders and collaborators operating outside official distribution channels, with studies showing that fuel imported with large foreign-currency allocations is being diverted and sold on black markets at inflated prices, creating artificial shortages.