Sudanese Transport Sector Struggles Under War Driven Fuel Scarcity

The core tension facing Sudan’s economy is a severe mismatch between the demand for mobility and the shrinking supply of energy, a gap that has widened significantly since the conflict began. As fuel becomes increasingly difficult to secure, the economic burden is falling hardest on those who rely on daily movement for their livelihoods, from public transport operators to small business owners who depend on efficient logistics.

Quantitative data highlights the depth of this crisis. In Gazira State, south of Khartoum, a single gallon of petrol now commands a price of 40,000 Sudanese pounds, equivalent to $4.30. In Port Sudan, the cost is slightly lower at 35,000 pounds, or $3.80. These figures represent a significant jump in operating expenses that directly erode daily profits for those who drive and trade for a living.

Azhari Mohamed, a 60 year old minibus driver in Port Sudan, illustrates the human cost of these statistics. He operates a route between the Shagar district and the city center, making seven round trips daily from early morning until late evening. His vehicle consumes roughly 11 liters of petrol per day, a cost of about 105,000 pounds. Because stations frequently run out before he reaches the pump, he now spends one day in three waiting in lines that can exceed five hours. After covering fuel and other expenses, he retains only about 50,000 pounds, or $5.40, to support his wife and a daughter currently enrolled in university. Azhari stated that the primary need for drivers is simply consistent availability of fuel so they can continue working.

The financial strain has forced regulatory bodies to adjust pricing structures. The Sudan Transport Chambers Union, which oversees both public and private transit, increased intercity bus fares by 40 percent and minibus fares by 30 percent this month. For Aziza Ibrahim, a 38 year old cleaner in Port Sudan with four children, these hikes are devastating. Her daily round trip to the city center now requires 11,000 pounds. This amount consumes nearly half of her monthly salary, which stands at 400,000 pounds. The high transport costs have compelled her to reduce her work schedule to three days a week, and she often borrows money to get to work, repaying the debt when she is paid. She also manages the additional expense of diabetes treatment.

The broader economic context suggests that this shortage is a structural result of the war that started in April 2023. The United Nations Development Programme notes that average incomes have regressed to levels last seen in the 1990s. The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum estimated war related losses at $20 billion in the previous year. Attacks on the Balila oil field have disrupted supply lines to the Khartoum refinery, a facility that previously satisfied about 60 percent of the national demand for petrol and liquefied petroleum gas.

With domestic production reduced, the country is now heavily reliant on imports during a period of global energy price spikes. Sidi Ohaj, an economic analyst, argues that government regulations for importers have exacerbated the problem. Requirements such as depositing 200 kilograms of gold at the Central Bank and owning storage facilities have forced some companies to exit the market, reducing supply relative to demand. Ohaj also cited drone attacks on infrastructure and the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran as factors disrupting global markets, leaving little room for quick relief.

Small businesses are also absorbing the shock. Ahmed al Haj, a trader in Omdurman who packages skincare items, reports that the cost of moving a tonne of goods has risen by 30 to 50 percent due to higher diesel and petrol prices. These increases are passed directly to consumers through higher product prices. When power outages force him to use fuel powered generators, his daily costs climb even further. Local delivery fees in Omdurman, which were 5,000 pounds in the past, now range from 10,000 to 12,000 pounds. Reaching customers in other states has become nearly impossible, and goods are accumulating at trading premises because transport workers are making fewer trips.