In a major escalation against widespread fuel smuggling out of the country, Ethiopia's Fuel and Energy Authority has announced all fuel shipment orders must now be placed through a centralized online portal.
Effective October 24, 2023, petrol stations procuring fuel cargoes must order using the new digitized system. Anyone attempting fuel transport from Djibouti without a verified online order faces penalties, officials said.
Speaking on the new measures, Bekelech Kuma, Communications Head of the Authority, said "The online system is key to gaining control over fuel resources which are vital to Ethiopia's economy and development goals."
The crackdown expands requirements already in place since July for fuel distribution within the major cities of Sheger and Addis Ababa. The online system was implemented there initially to increase transparency and efficiencies. However, certain regions still facing security issues will be excluded from the mandate for now.
Centralizing orders through a digital portal that tracks all fuel movement in real-time will help authorities intercept fuel thefts, according to Bekelech. “Coordination with security agencies and telecom providers will be key to enforcing the expanded online mandate,” she said.