Iran War Renders Somalia's Tuk-Tuk Drivers Jobless Amid Oil Surge

Fuel prices in parts of Somalia have more than doubled following disruptions to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a route handling about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas. In Mogadishu, tuk-tuk drivers are parking vehicles as operating costs outpace earnings.

“There are no passengers,” said driver Hasan Suleiman, talking to Reuters. “We raised fares because fuel prices went up.”

The surge in fuel costs has reduced passenger demand as fares rise. Drivers report fewer customers, with many residents opting to walk instead of paying higher transport prices.

“The city has few passengers and they won’t pay the higher fares. We have inevitably parked the tuk-tuks,” Suleiman added.

For workers like Jamal Omar, 55, the impact is immediate: “The tuk-tuk needs fuel, and I need to provide for my family… We are in a very bad condition.”

The disruption reflects broader regional exposure. Airlines across Africa are facing rising jet fuel costs and falling reserves, forcing fare increases and operational strain.

African economies are particularly vulnerable due to reliance on imported energy routed through the Gulf. The near shutdown of Hormuz has constrained supply flows, amplifying price volatility across fuel and food markets.

In Egypt, the government has introduced energy rationing measures, including reduced street lighting and earlier shop closures, as gas import costs surged from $560 million to $1.65 billion per month.

Somalia’s case illustrates how informal economies, which depend on daily cash flow, are especially sensitive to rapid cost increases.

The fuel crisis intersects with existing vulnerabilities. Around 6.5 million people in Somalia, roughly one-third of the population, already face severe hunger due to drought and economic strain, according to UN data.

Rising transport costs are expected to feed into food prices, further tightening access to basic goods.

The combined effect underscores how global conflicts are translating into immediate socio-economic stress in fragile states in Africa & Asia.