Dhaka (AFP) – In the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, refueling has become a real task of patience. Even at night. Shamsuddin, 43, had slipped his car into the queue that stretched in front of the gas station at midnight, and did not leave with a full tank until dawn on Tuesday.

Published on: 04/21/2026 - 11:53

“I was hungry last night. Fortunately I was able to buy bread and bananas from a street vendor,” he sighs, his eyes red with fatigue.

But no time to complain, Shamsuddin must quickly join his boss, a lawyer, who is waiting for him to go to court this morning. “I’m still going to be busy all day,” the driver grumbles.

Nearly two months after the start of the war in the Middle East, Bangladesh still lives under the threat of a fuel shortage, of which it imports 95% of its needs mainly from the Gulf countries.

The government has done everything to reduce its consumption and protect its reserves. Rationing, price increases, reduction in opening hours of offices, businesses or schools... But nothing has happened, the situation remains worrying.

Due to a lack of sufficient electricity and diesel, local operators are even starting to raise the specter of a breakdown of the telephone and internet networks.

For road users, watering your vehicle has become an ordeal for several weeks now.

And the fragile ceasefire observed by Iran, the United States and Israel has changed nothing, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the obligatory crossing point for "tankers" who supply Bangladesh, remains largely paralyzed.

“We saw images of ships, but they only floated on Facebook,” quips Shariful Islam among the motorists and bikers who besiege this gas station in the center of the capital.

“I waited for three hours and there, when I only had seven motorbikes in front of me, the pumps stopped because the tanks were empty,” he complains.

“Not enough”

Against all the images of endless queues and angry users flooding social media, the government and the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) continue to deny the shortage.

“There is no oil crisis in the country,” repeated one of the BNP leaders, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, on Sunday. “The quantities of gasoline delivered in March are the same as those of last year.”

Energy Ministry officials insist they have oil reserves equivalent to two months of consumption. And even that deliveries to distributors have increased.

Rafiqul Islam Jamal doubts it. “What comes out of the depots is not enough,” proclaims, figures in hand, this boss of a Dhaka service station.

Mother of two school-going children, Farhana Zannat approves. This morning, she says she had to beg those waiting for their turn to let her pass to get a few precious liters for her bike.

“My daughter is taking an exam this morning,” she pleads, “I had no other choice for her to arrive on time.”

Difficulties with refueling have plunged many professions into crisis.

Starting with those of motorcycle taxi drivers. Accustomed to days with 1,500 races, Mizanur Rahman, 40, had to seriously slow down his pace.

“I can't take customers on the days when I have to refuel my motorbike, it takes me ten to twelve hours (...) I also avoid long trips because I'm not sure I'll be able to refuel to get back,” he lists, worried. “I’m losing money.”

Conversely, some saw this crisis as a great opportunity to do business.

“From 9:00 in the morning to 9:00 in the evening, we offer those who need it to send them a driver who will refuel their vehicle,” explains Mujahid Islam Tanim, of the Sheba XYZ service platform.

All for the equivalent of less than a euro and a half.

© 2026 AFP

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