ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 10 (AGCNewsNet) – Ethiopia’s parliament has approved a new draft proclamation aimed at regulating the trade of petroleum products across the country. The legislation is designed to combat smuggling, hoarding, and fuel adulteration, which have long disrupted the country’s petroleum distribution system.

According to Sahrela Abdulahi, Director General of the Petroleum and Energy Authority, Ethiopia has the fewest gas stations per capita in East Africa. She attributed the shortage to disputes over land allocation and delays in regulatory approvals, which have stalled the construction of new gas stations. Additionally, existing stations are often located in economically disadvantaged areas, exacerbating the issue.

Abdulahi emphasized the urgency of reform, revealing that nearly 500 woredas lack a single gas station, leaving many communities underserved. The new law includes stringent penalties for violations, including imprisonment for three to five years and fines ranging from 300,000 to 500,000 birr for those caught trading petroleum products outside government-set prices or mixing them with foreign substances. Other violations, such as storing or selling petroleum outside authorized locations, will also result in product confiscation.

Stay connected with AGC NewsNet for the latest news from Africa.