The President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has directed government officials to travel in a single bus during official trips as part of efforts to reduce fuel consumption amid rising shortages.
Hassan gave the directive on Wednesday during a swearing-in ceremony, noting that only her core convoy — including security escorts, police and a backup vehicle — would remain in the official motorcade.
“From now on, wherever I go, all officials will travel together in one bus… to cut fuel consumption,” she said.
The president’s entourage typically consists of more than 30 vehicles, including luxury SUVs and police outriders, often causing traffic disruptions.
Fuel prices in the East African country have risen by about one-third since March, according to the national energy regulator, following disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The situation has been worsened by the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, a key global oil transit route through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass.
Elsewhere in the region, Ethiopia has also introduced fuel rationing measures, prioritising vehicles transporting essential goods and those in the public transport sector.
