Egypt's Early Closing Order Disrupts Cairo Nightlife Amid War-Driven Oil Crisis
The Egyptian government has implemented nationwide early closing times for shops, cafes, and restaurants in a bid to conserve oil-powered electricity, as soaring energy prices during the U.S.-Israel war with Iran threaten the country's economy and Cairo's identity as a city that never sleeps.
Government Imposes Nationwide Restrictions
Effective from Saturday, 28 March 2026, stores, restaurants, and cafes across Egypt have been ordered to close by 9 p.m. (19:00 GMT) for one month. The measures, described by authorities as "exceptional," also include dimming streetlights and roadside advertising, while government district offices in the New Administrative Capital east of Cairo must close by 6 p.m. (16:00 GMT). Civil servants have been asked to work from home one day per week in April.
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly stated the measures aim to curtail oil consumption, warning that "the alternative would be to resort again to further price increases." The government has already hiked fuel and cooking gas prices this month as global energy prices soared following the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for approximately one-fifth of global oil supply.
Impact on Businesses and Livelihoods
The early closures are having dire repercussions on hundreds of thousands of small businesses found throughout Egypt's streets, alleys, and lanes. Many eateries, juice shops, and cafés that typically operate nonstop are now forced to shut during peak evening hours.
Youssef Salah, a 46-year-old cafe owner in Cairo's middle-class Sayeda Zeinab neighborhood, said he was forced to cut his 35-member workforce by 40%. "It's ruinous," he explained. "It deprives us from our peak time." Salah, a father of three, previously kept his venue open 24 hours daily, with peak hours extending from evening until the early morning. "The late-night shifts are now abolished," he lamented.
Ayman Harbi, who works at a store in Downtown Cairo, called on the government to extend opening hours at least until midnight, stating that closing at 9 p.m. is "extremely difficult" for businesses like his. "Our work in the summer usually starts after 8 p.m. (18:00 GMT)," he said. "Forcing me to close at 9 p.m. (19:00 GMT) makes the workday pointless."
Public Response and Social Impact
Despite the restrictions, some Egyptians have found ways to circumvent the order. Reports indicate that some cafes closed their front doors while patrons continued smoking shisha or playing chess, dominoes, or cards inside. Others took to social media to sarcastically criticize the decision for depriving Cairo of its nightlife.
Mahmoud Elmamlouk, editor of a local outlet, wrote on social media: "The Butterfly effect. The closure of Strait of Hormuz has deprived us from smoking shisha."
The decision has significantly altered lifestyles for Egyptians accustomed to purchasing virtually anything at any time, particularly in major cities like Cairo and Alexandria. A nighttime tour across Cairo on Saturday and Sunday revealed the city's usually vibrant streets turned eerily quiet.
Economic Context and War Repercussions
Though Egypt is not a party to the widening conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, the most populous Arab country is among the most impacted by the war's far-reaching repercussions. Global energy prices have skyrocketed since the conflict began on 28 February 2026, when the U.S. and Israel launched massive airstrikes on Iran, which retaliated with attacks on oil and gas infrastructure across the Persian Gulf.
The increases hit Egypt particularly hard, with its population of over 108 million people consuming $20 billion of oil products annually, including fuel for power plants. The country imports 28% of its gasoline and 45% of its diesel, and Madbouly revealed that the nation's oil bill had more than doubled from January to $2.5 billion.
Tourism Exemptions and Future Concerns
The government has exempted tourist-attraction areas from the energy-saving measures, recognizing tourism as a major source of foreign currency for the cash-strapped nation. Exempt areas include:
- The Red Sea tourist resorts of Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Marsa Alam
- The antiquities-rich southern cities of Aswan and Luxor
Magdy al-Deeb, a business owner, urged the government to reverse the decision to preserve jobs, especially for cafes and small businesses. "Where will all those people (workers) go?" he asked, emphasizing that society "must protect people's livelihoods."
As Egypt navigates these challenging economic circumstances, the early closing order represents a significant shift in daily life and business operations, with uncertain long-term consequences for the nation's economy and social fabric.
