The Ethiopian government has issued a directive requiring public institutions and state-owned enterprises to place non-essential employees on annual leave. This strategic move aims to mitigate a severe national fuel shortage that has disrupted transportation networks across the country. By reducing the number of commuting personnel, authorities hope to lower the immediate demand for petroleum products and ease the pressure on public transit systems currently struggling with limited supplies.
The current scarcity, particularly affecting diesel, has led to extensive queues at filling stations in Addis Ababa and other major urban centers. Analysts attribute this energy crisis to broader geopolitical tensions, specifically the conflict involving Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
These global events have caused oil prices to surge toward historic highs, significantly impacting Ethiopia’s economy, where fuel imports already account for nearly 20 percent of the total national import bill.
In response to the dwindling supply, the government is prioritizing fuel allocations for critical infrastructure projects. One such priority is the construction of the new international airport in Bishoftu, a massive undertaking that requires over 15 million liters of fuel monthly. By shifting non-essential civil servants to leave, the administration is attempting to balance the needs of essential state projects with the limited availability of energy resources available to the general public.
State-owned entities, including the Ethio Engineering Group, have already begun implementing the directive. Internal notices indicate that only key personnel are expected to report to their stations, while others are encouraged to utilize commercial transport services if necessary. This temporary measure reflects a broader regional trend, as neighboring countries in Asia and Southeast Asia have similarly adopted work-from-home policies or national emergencies to cope with the volatile global energy market.
Looking toward a more sustainable future, the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance has signaled a long-term shift away from fossil fuel dependency. The government recently unveiled a roadmap to transition the entire public vehicle fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. Additionally, there are plans to encourage public transport providers to adopt compressed natural gas (CNG). While these transitions are years away, the current crisis has accelerated the discourse on energy security and the necessity of diversifying the nation’s power sources.
Source: The Reporter Ethiopia