Fuel Crisis in Somalia Pushes Tuk-Tuk Drivers to the Brink

Fuel Crisis in Somalia Pushes Tuk-Tuk Drivers to the Brink

Abdulkadir Sharif pulled his tuk-tuk to the roadside, scanning a street dotted with stranded vehicles. Across Mogadishu, similar scenes are becoming common as fuel shortages and soaring prices disrupt daily life.
Drivers are increasingly unable to continue their routes. Many are left waiting helplessly for fuel or passengers. What was once a reliable income source is now uncertain. The crisis reflects deeper economic vulnerabilities.

Since airstrikes involving United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, global oil prices have surged.
This spike has directly impacted Somalia’s fuel market. Prices have more than doubled across the country. The effects are being felt most sharply by low-income workers. Tuk-tuk drivers are among the hardest hit.

Rising Costs and Falling Incomes

According to Save the Children, fuel prices in Mogadishu rose by 150 percent in March. Costs jumped from $0.6 to $1.5 per liter, squeezing already fragile livelihoods.
Thousands of young Somalis rely on tuk-tuks for survival. With unemployment at around 34 percent, options are limited. The industry once provided stability. Now it is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

Many drivers rent their vehicles for about $15 per day. After paying for fuel, whatever remains is their income. That balance has now collapsed.
Drivers like Ahmed Mohamud report that fuel costs have doubled while earnings have halved. What used to sustain families is no longer enough. The financial pressure is pushing many to quit.

The crisis is also affecting passengers. Residents who once depended on tuk-tuks are cutting back. A ride that cost $1 now ranges between $2 and $3.
For many families, this increase is unaffordable. Transport has shifted from convenience to luxury. This decline in demand further reduces drivers’ earnings. The cycle of hardship continues to deepen.

Fuel sellers are also under pressure. While drivers blame them for rising prices, they have little control over global market forces.
Tensions have escalated between buyers and sellers. The frustration reflects a broader economic strain. Local businesses are caught in a situation beyond their influence. The entire supply chain is affected.

On March 11, anger reached a breaking point as hundreds of drivers blocked Maka Al-Mukarama Road. Protests demanded urgent government intervention.
The arrest of Saadia Moalim Ali, a female driver, drew national attention. Her story symbolizes the struggle of young workers in Somalia. As costs rise and opportunities shrink, the future of many drivers hangs in the balance.