The announcement comes as a response to the current international energy crisis.

According to the Ministry, "Currently, the world is facing shortages and rising prices of petroleum products, primarily caused by the war in the Middle East."

This global volatility has directly affected local economy, "leading to an increase in the prices of food and other essential goods."

To mitigate these challenges, the Ministry noted that "The Government of Rwanda has taken various measures, including providing subsidies for diesel used in transport, aiming to reduce the impact on citizens."

Beyond state subsidies, the government is calling for collective responsibility. Citizens are specifically requested to "Reduce unnecessary trips, use public transport whenever possible, and combine multiple errands into a single trip," MINALOC advised.  

The directives also extend to domestic energy use, urging the public to "Use cooking fuel efficiently (such as managing fuel use by reducing the number of times we cook per day [where possible])."

Vehicle owners have been given specific guidelines to further reduce fuel consumption.

The Ministry advises those with multiple vehicles to use only one car whenever possible (for households with more than one vehicle) and to consider carpooling with neighbors, colleagues, or classmates.

Furthermore, motorists and homeowners are encouraged to reduce the use of air conditioning (A/C) in vehicles and houses where possible.

The government also cautioned the public against misinformation during this period, urging them to avoid rumours and seek reliable information from official authorities.

The Ministry emphasised that the success of these measures depends on national unity, stating that "Everyone's contribution is essential in helping the Government manage these changes."