Egypt imposes nightly curfews to combat soaring energy costs

CAIRO March 29 (YPA) – Egyptian authorities have abruptly announced a nationwide nightly curfew, covering Cairo and all governorates, as emergency austerity measures to curb soaring natural gas costs.

The unexpected move has caused widespread confusion among the public.

Starting March 28, 2026, the government has mandated that shops and restaurants close by 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. This initial one-month restriction comes as regional tensions disrupt global energy flows, specifically around the Strait of Hormuz, forcing Cairo to adopt aggressive consumption-side management.

The fiscal pressure driving these decisions is immense. Egypt’s monthly gas import bill has nearly tripled, jumping from $560 million to $1.65 billion

Videos and images circulating on social media show unusually deserted streets across major Egyptian cities. Prominent areas such as Tahrir Square and the Nile Corniche—typically bustling late into the night—appeared dark and largely empty.

The footage also shows widespread closures of shops and public facilities, reflecting strict enforcement of the new directive.

Official sources attributed the decision to “exceptional circumstances” facing the region, stating that limiting movement is primarily aimed at conserving fuel for electricity generation during peak daytime hours and preventing a potential collapse of the national power grid due to declining strategic fuel reserves.

The curfew has sparked broad debate on social media platforms, with related hashtags trending on X and Facebook. Citizens have raised questions about how long the measures will last and their potential impact on key sectors and the broader economy

@E.Y.M