Abiy Ahmed has urged fuel distributors, service stations, and consumers across Ethiopia to conserve fuel and prioritize essential services amid growing disruptions to global oil supplies caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East.
In a statement posted Monday on X, Abiy warned that the ongoing conflict has begun to affect international energy markets, creating supply challenges for countries that rely heavily on imported petroleum products.
According to the Ethiopian prime minister, the crisis has tightened fuel markets worldwide and slowed deliveries to several countries, including Ethiopia, which depends entirely on imported petroleum to meet domestic energy needs.
“As a result of the situation in the Middle East, countries that purchase fuel are facing difficulties obtaining supplies as usual,” Abiy said in the statement.
He stressed that until global supply chains stabilize, both businesses and consumers must adopt responsible fuel consumption practices to ensure that available supplies are directed toward the most critical sectors of the economy.
“Until the problem is resolved and the fuel supply system returns to normal, we must use fuel carefully and give priority to essential services,” the prime minister added.
Abiy called on fuel distributors, filling stations and transport operators to ensure that available petroleum products are allocated primarily to sectors that provide essential services to the population.
These sectors include transportation networks, healthcare services, food supply chains and other activities that support daily life and economic stability.
The appeal reflects growing concern within the Ethiopian government about the impact of global energy disruptions on the country’s economy and public services.
Ethiopia, one of Africa’s most populous nations, relies entirely on imported petroleum products to power vehicles, run industrial equipment and support critical infrastructure.
As a result, any major disruption in international oil supply chains can have significant consequences for the country’s transportation systems, food distribution networks and overall economic activity.
The latest supply concerns stem from escalating hostilities in the Middle East that have intensified since late February.
On Feb. 28, joint military operations were launched by Israel and the United States against targets inside Iran, triggering a sharp escalation in regional tensions.
According to reports from Iranian authorities, the strikes resulted in the deaths of around 1,300 people, including Iran’s then-Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Iran subsequently launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks against multiple targets in the region.
The attacks have targeted locations in Israel as well as sites in neighboring countries including Jordan and Iraq, along with Gulf states that host United States military facilities.
The widening conflict has heightened fears of a broader regional war and has already begun to affect international trade routes and global energy markets.
One of the most significant developments has been Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz since early March.
The narrow waterway is one of the most critical maritime routes in the global energy system. A large share of the world’s oil exports passes through the strait each day, making it a vital corridor for energy supplies moving from the Middle East to markets in Asia, Europe and other regions.
Any disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has the potential to trigger significant price increases and supply shortages in global oil markets.
Energy analysts have warned that prolonged disruptions could push fuel prices higher and complicate supply arrangements for countries that rely on imported oil products.
For Ethiopia, the situation is particularly challenging because the country does not produce its own petroleum and must import all fuel supplies through international markets.
The government typically purchases petroleum products through international suppliers and transports them into the country via regional ports and logistics networks.
However, tightening global supply conditions can make it more difficult and expensive for the country to secure the fuel it needs to maintain normal economic activity.
Officials say the government is monitoring the situation closely while urging responsible fuel use at the national level.
By encouraging conservation and prioritization of essential services, authorities hope to prevent shortages that could disrupt transportation, healthcare operations or food distribution systems.
Economists note that fuel availability plays a crucial role in Ethiopia’s broader economic stability because the transportation sector supports trade, agriculture and supply chains throughout the country.
Rising fuel costs or shortages can also increase inflation, particularly in food prices, as transportation expenses affect the cost of delivering goods to markets.
The Ethiopian government has not yet announced specific rationing measures, but Abiy’s statement suggests that authorities may consider additional steps if global supply disruptions persist.
For now, the government’s focus appears to be on encouraging cooperation among fuel distributors, businesses and consumers to manage available resources responsibly.
The situation highlights how geopolitical conflicts in distant regions can have far-reaching consequences for countries across the world, particularly those that depend heavily on imported energy supplies.
As tensions continue in the Middle East and global markets respond to the evolving situation, Ethiopia and other fuel-importing nations are likely to remain vulnerable to further supply shocks.
Abiy’s appeal for fuel conservation reflects the government’s attempt to prepare the country for potential challenges while ensuring that critical services continue to operate during a period of international uncertainty.
