Photo: Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan
By Deborah Nnamdi
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed government officials to travel in a single bus during official engagements as part of measures to reduce fuel consumption, following rising fuel shortages linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The directive was announced on Wednesday during a swearing-in ceremony for government officials, where the president outlined new cost-saving steps aimed at managing the impact of soaring fuel prices.
Under the new arrangement, only the president’s essential convoy—comprising her security escort, police vehicles, and a backup car—will be allowed to accompany her, while all other officials will be required to travel together in one bus.
“From now on, wherever I go, all officials will travel together in one bus to cut fuel consumption,” Hassan said.
Typically, the president’s entourage includes more than 30 vehicles, such as luxury SUVs and police outriders, a convoy that often disrupts traffic flow during official movements.
The move comes as fuel prices in Tanzania have surged by about one-third since March, according to the country’s energy regulator, reflecting broader global supply disruptions.
The shortages have been attributed in part to tensions in the Middle East, particularly the disruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route that handles a significant portion of global oil and gas supply.
Other countries in the region are also taking similar steps. Authorities in Ethiopia recently announced plans to prioritise fuel distribution for vehicles transporting essential goods and those in the public transport sector.
Analysts say Tanzania’s new policy underscores the growing economic pressure on governments as global energy supply chains remain strained.
