Many petrol stations have run out of fuel and motorists have been forced to queue for long hours at any that have supplies today. The shortage is blamed on the closure by protesters of the main road linking Ethiopia and Djibouti. Ethiopia imports most of its goods via the port in Djibouti.
The government is yet to comment on the fuel shortage or the blockade of the road.
While fuel shortages have become an almost monthly occurrence in the capital, the queues around the Addis Ababa today are unusually long. In one area, cars parked stretching to nearly 1km (0.6 miles) as drivers waited for their turn to fuel.
One of the drivers at the back of the line told the BBC that he had been to six other petrol stations without success, adding: Quote Message: I hope this one doesn’t run out of fuel before I get some.”
I hope this one doesn’t run out of fuel before I get some.”
Police have been controlling traffic around petrol stations. At one, they had to control a rowdy group of motorbike riders who were jostling to jump the queues.