Ethiopia’s government has directed public institutions to send non-essential employees on annual leave to ease the country’s fuel shortage, exacerbated by the Iran war.
The move aims to reduce transportation demand and conserve fuel, as long queues form at dispensing outlets.
In the long term, Ethiopia plans to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and compressed natural gas (CNG) to reduce dependence on imported fuel.
The government has outlined plans to replace its entire public fleet with EVs by 2030 and encourages public transport providers to adopt CNG.
This shift is part of Ethiopia’s broader effort to build resilience against future energy shocks and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
