Tanzania president slashes motorcade, orders officials to bus as fuel prices soar

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — President Samia Suluhu Hassan has ordered a drastic reduction in the size of her presidential motorcade and directed government officials to travel together by bus to curb fuel consumption as Tanzania grapples with a global energy crisis.

Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony at State House on Wednesday, Hassan announced that her official convoy—which typically exceeds 30 vehicles—will be downsized to just four: her primary vehicle, a police escort, and a backup security unit.

"From now on, wherever I go, all officials will travel together in one bus to cut fuel consumption," Hassan said, noting that even the highest-ranking government members must comply.

The move comes as the East African nation faces a sharp spike in energy costs. According to the national energy regulator, fuel prices have surged by approximately 33% since March. The hike is largely attributed to supply chain disruptions in the Middle East, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor through which much of Tanzania’s fuel imports pass.

The retail price of petrol in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, reached 3,820 shillings ($1.45) per liter in April, up from 2,864 shillings in March.

President Hassan urged other public institutions to adopt similar austerity measures, pointing to global trends where some nations have shifted to remote work to manage energy shortages. She also warned traders against price-gouging, stating that the crisis should not be used as an excuse to inflate the cost of goods already in stock.

While the president noted that shipping through key global routes has shown recent signs of improvement, she cautioned that the economic situation remains fragile and requires "proactive domestic measures" to protect the national budget.

GAROWE ONLINE