March 29 (UPI) -- Egypt is ordering stores and malls to close early, asking people to work from home and dimming street lights as energy costs have skyrocketed since since January.
The North African country put energy saving efforts into effect because the U.S. and Israeli war in Iran has sent the cost of importing oil and natural gas -- which is how Africa gets the vast majority of its energy supplies -- through the roof, The BBC and Anadolu Agency reported.
Many nations globally have seen the cost of fuel and natural gas increase, and several African and Asian nations have enacted efforts similar to Egypt, because Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz to attempt to get the two nations to end the airstrikes aimed at regime change there.
Roughly 20% of the world's oil and natural gas supply moves through the Strait and choking it off has had a significant effect on Egypt.
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