By Dyepkazah Shibayan
When Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu ended the costly subsidies that made petrol affordable for many in Africa’s most populous country, Ahmed Halilu knew his e-hailing cab business in the capital, Abuja, was about to run into huge losses.
Transportation costs skyrocketed as the price of petrol more than tripled in the months that followed last year’s decision, resulting in the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. That meant a massive drop in the number of Halilu’s passengers and ultimately in his earnings.
In what they said would eventually lower transportation costs by almost 50%, Nigerian authorities in August introduced a compressed natural gas (CNG) initiative to tap its huge gas reserves — Africa’s largest — and roll out CNG buses while switching petrol-powered vehicles to use it.
More than 100,000 vehicles have been adapted to run on CNG or with the hybrid option of CNG and petrol, and at least $200
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
