Sudan's Fuel Crunch Is Emptying Wallets and Stalling Commerce

The simple act of filling a gas tank has become a major economic hurdle for millions in Sudan.

Drivers, cleaners, and traders are feeling the pinch as fuel shortages drive up daily expenses and limit mobility. In Port Sudan, Azhari Mohamed, a 60-year-old minibus driver, works from 6 am to 9 pm to support his family. His vehicle consumes about 11 liters of petrol daily, costing roughly 105,000 Sudanese pounds. Because fuel is scarce, he often spends a third of his week waiting in lines that can last over five hours. After covering operating costs, he earns only about 5.40 dollars a day. He noted that he just needs fuel to be available so he can work.

These rising costs have forced the Transport Chambers Union to raise fares this month. Intercity bus tickets increased by 40 percent, while minibus fares went up by 30 percent. For Aziza Ibrahim, a 38-year-old cleaner in Port Sudan, the changes are severe. She has reduced her work schedule to three days a week because travel costs have tripled. Her daily round trip now costs 11,000 pounds, which consumes nearly half of her monthly salary. She also manages expensive diabetes treatment and sometimes borrows money to get to work, repaying it when she is paid.

The crisis is rooted in the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023. The United Nations Development Programme states that average incomes have fallen to 1990s levels. The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum estimated war-related losses at 20 billion dollars last year. Attacks on the Balila oil field have disrupted supplies to the Khartoum refinery, which previously met 60 percent of national demand for petrol and liquefied petroleum gas.

Sudan now relies heavily on imports, but a global fuel crisis has made these purchases more expensive. Economic analyst Sidi Ohaj said government rules for importers have worsened the situation. Importers must deposit 200 kilograms of gold in the Central Bank and own storage facilities. Some companies could not meet these requirements and left the market, reducing supply relative to demand. Ohaj urged the government to ease import procedures. He also pointed to drone attacks on infrastructure and the continuing war between the United States and Iran, which is disrupting global energy markets.

Businesses are also struggling with higher input costs. Ahmed al-Haj, a trader in Omdurman, said the cost of moving a tonne of goods has risen by 30 to 50 percent. He passes these increases on to consumers. When power cuts force him to use a fuel-powered generator, his daily costs rise further. Local deliveries in Omdurman have doubled in price, making it impossible to reach customers in other states. Transport workers are making fewer trips, causing goods to pile up at traders' premises.

The situation highlights how energy shortages can ripple through an entire economy. From public transport to local markets, the lack of affordable fuel is reshaping daily life and limiting economic activity.