Petroleum product retailers and distributors stand to see a significant increase in profit margins if a directive in the making by the Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration wins approval from the Council of Ministers.

Owners and managers of gas stations have long been pleading with the government to increase the margins. Gas stations operate with a profit margin of close to one percent, making 0.23 Br for every litre. In recent years, the cost of petroleum products has been rising dramatically due to the price increment observed in the international market and the fast depreciation of the Birr. However, profit margins for petroleum retailers have remained unchanged.

The directive proposes to adjust these margins to up to five percent of the total cost. It is meant to make the industry more attractive to investors, according to Ashenafi Mamoye, team leader of basic commodity supply and distribution at the Ministry.

The profit margins for different petroleum products are calculated based on investment capital, annual sales, transportation expenses and administration costs. The directive, however, proposes to include related costs such as losses incurred due to evaporation during transportation and at depots. Although the loss due to evaporation depends on the physical and chemical characteristics of the products, the method of loading, the trucks and the quality of depots also have an effect.

Between 200 to 300 trucks, with a storage capacity of 20,000lt and 43,000lt, transport petroleum products daily from Djibouti into the country. The state-owned Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise (EPSE) imports petroleum products, storing them in its 13 fuel depots. Ethiopia imported 3.9 million tonnes of petroleum products worth 62.1 billion Br (1.2 billion dollars at the current exchange rate) in 2018/19. During the first nine months of 2019/20, 2.7 million tonnes of petroleum products were imported at the cost of 48.3 billion Br.

The 35 oil companies operating in the country buy petroleum products from the Enterprise after shipments reach Djibouti and are responsible for distribution to gas stations across the country. Close to 120 gas stations are operating in Addis Abeba alone. A dealer in the capital told Fortune that the loss incurred due to evaporation was one of the issues that have been a bone of contention between the government and oil dealers.

"I'm hopeful that the profit margins will be set close to five percent," said a dealer in Addis Abeba, who requested anonymity.

The Ministry of Revenues will decide on the accurate loss rate, according to the directive.