Ethiopia’s Ethio Engineering Group has responded to the global energy crisis by ordering its more than 3,000 employees to switch to virtual meetings in order to save fuel.
The company’s measure came after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s nationwide call to conserve fuel.
The global oil price has become skyrocketed after Isreal and US coordinated a war campaign aginst Iran led to the near-closure of Strait of Hormuz, the world’s vital route for the passage of oil carring ships from Middle east countries. Ethiopia has responded to this crisis by increasing fuel subsidies and introducing energy-saving measures.
“Our government has set a direction stating that institutions and citizens must use fuel economically, and everyone is carrying out activities based on their specific realities,” Reuters quoted the group as saying on Sunday.
The company stated that these measures are being taken due to unavoidable circumstances. It added that employees will also be required to share transportation when traveling for essential projects and to limit vehicle use to regular working days only.
The group, which produces a range of products from plastic packaging to farm machinery, will also reduce monthly fuel allocations for its senior executives.
Ethiopia is among many African countries experiencing pressure on the energy sector following the ongoing conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran, which shows no clear signs of ending.
