Egypt acknowledges substandard gasoline samples, sets conditions for fuel pump compensation
CAIRO – 11 May 2025: The government on Sunday acknowledged spotting noncompliant gasoline in several areas across Egypt, including Cairo, setting conditions for affected citizens to get up to LE 2,000 in compensation.
The Ministry of Petroleum said in a statement on Sunday that it will disburse an amount equivalent to the value of the approved invoice for gasoline pump replacement, up to a maximum of LE 2,000.
Many citizens have already voiced concerns about the requirement to submit approved invoices, as they often have damaged parts replaced by mechanics informally, without formal documentation.
The ministry's statement did not specify who was responsible for the substandard fuel or whether an investigation is underway to hold those responsible accountable.
Following recent complaints about petrol quality harming car gas tanks, Egypt's Ministry of Supply is stepping up inspections at gas stations to ensure fuel availability, quality, and compliance with standards#Egypt #Africa #MENA https://t.co/wSejtHymIT — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) May 6, 2025
Over the past week, citizens have taken to social media to report car problems, including dashboard warning lights and various mechanical malfunctions.
In the wake of the complaints, the ministry asserted last week that all fuel samples taken by independent inspectors from accredited bodies had thus far conformed to Egyptian standards.
Following that statement, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said he had ordered the petroleum minister to investigate the issue, emphasizing transparency.
Madbouly stated that penalties would be applied according to the law if misconduct is proven.
In today's statement, the ministry reported receiving 870 complaints regarding fuel quality between May 4 and 9, primarily from Cairo and Giza. It also stated that five out of 807 samples taken for examination in various governorates were noncompliant.
Journalist Mostafa Bakry has questioned the ministry's figures, suggesting that five noncompliant samples seem too low given the widespread public outcry.
Conditions for Compensation
The ministry stated that it will only contact complainants who reported the issue via the hotline (16528) or the government complaints system.
The ministry outlined the conditions for compensation eligibility: complaints must have been submitted between May 4 and 10 and must concern the same period. Complainants must also submit documents proving car ownership besides an approved invoice for the fuel pump replacement.
The ministry said it will pay for fuel pump replacements due to the noncompliant samples found at gas stations and the difficulty in determining the technical reasons for car pump failures, including gasoline quality, the vehicle's condition, and the pump's lifespan.
Breaking Down Sampling
During the specified week, Greater Cairo accounted for the majority of fuel quality complaints, with 429 in Cairo, 208 in Giza, and 59 in Qalyubia.
The Nile Delta governorates of Sharqia, Menoufia, Dakahlia, and Ismailia reported 31, 18, 12, and 9 complaints, respectively. Alexandria, on the North Coast, reported 29 complaints, and Minya, in Upper Egypt, reported 12 complaints, according to the ministry's figures.
The remaining governorates experienced few or no complaints, the statement added.
The ministry asserted that sampling was conducted by teams from the ministry itself, the Ministry of Supply, and 'neutral' companies.
Preventing Recurrence
The ministry outlined enhanced measures to ensure fuel conformity and prevent future incidents, including requiring double testing of samples.
For locally produced gasoline, refineries will be prohibited from releasing any product for consumption unless samples are analyzed in two different laboratories and the results match (instead of analysis in only one laboratory).
For imported gasoline, samples will be taken under the supervision of independent companies and analyzed in three different laboratories to ensure accuracy (instead of one laboratory).
Analyses will also be conducted before and after fuel release to ensure quality throughout the supply chain. Independent companies will be commissioned to conduct the analyses to ensure impartiality.
Punishing Negligence
While stating that inspection and monitoring activities will continue, the ministry affirmed its commitment to cooperating with relevant authorities to hold accountable anyone found to be negligent.
The issue follows a recent increase in fuel prices, reaching up to 14.5 percent depending on the grade. This significant rise has caused public discontent, adding to the burden of previous fuel price increases in recent years.
The government has cited the increasing burden on the state budget due to heavy fuel subsidies, with plans to completely eliminate these subsidies by the end of 2025.
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