Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, on Wednesday, announced that government officials will henceforth travel in a single bus rather than separate vehicles during official assignments, as part of measures to reduce fuel consumption and expenditure.

Ms Hassan’s announcement comes amid the oil shortage and price surge following the Iran war.

“We are starting to reduce fuel consumption, and I am beginning with my office. Whenever I travel, senior officials follow behind me in their own cars, Ms Hassan said during the swearing-in of newly appointed leaders in Dodoma, the country’s capital.

She added, “From now on, wherever I go, I will have them all travel together in one bus.” 

The president also ordered officials to reduce nonessential trips to cut public spending, adding, “This is a worldwide challenge affecting many countries, not just Tanzania.” 

Ms Hassan, however, noted that her convoy—comprising escort, police, and a backup vehicle—would maintain the usual security arrangement.

“The goal is to reinforce discipline in the use of public resources and reduce the financial burden on the government,” Ms Hassan added, expressing hope that fuel prices could be reduced soon.

The country’s Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) announced on April 1 that fuel prices had surged by about 33.4 per cent from Sh2,864 in March to Sh3,820 per litre in Dar es Salaam.

Global oil supply has been disrupted in recent weeks by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas is shipped.

The development, which saw a sharp increase in fuel prices, has affected economic activity across countries, resulting in higher inflation, transportation costs, and production costs.

Last week, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko banned ministers from taking nonessential foreign trips, citing the oil price surge driven by the Iran war.

The prime minister said he had also suspended his trips to France, Spain, and Niger, as oil currently trades at about $115 per barrel, almost double the $62 per barrel in the country’s budget.