Drivers in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, have been sleeping in their cars as they wait in fuel queues lasting more than a day, as shortages linked to the Middle East war disrupt supplies. The effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has restricted a major global oil route, hitting import-dependent countries particularly hard.

Ethiopia, which imports all of its petrol mainly from Gulf countries, began experiencing shortages earlier this week. Some petrol stations have closed for days without knowing when new deliveries will arrive, leaving taxi drivers, bakery workers and other small business owners unable to operate and losing vital income.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has urged citizens to use fuel sparingly and prioritise basic needs until the situation improves. With more than 40 percent of the population living below the poverty line and inflation already around 10 percent, there are growing concerns that rising fuel prices will deepen economic hardship and stall development projects in the capital.