Egypt’s early closing order jolts Cairo’s night life as war-driven oil costs soar

Key Points:

• The Egyptian government has imposed early closing times for stores, restaurants, and cafes nationwide to conserve oil-powered electricity amid the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, disrupting Cairo's reputation as a city that never sleeps.
• The new 9 p.m. closing order has severely impacted small businesses, forcing some, like a Cairo café owner, to cut staff by 40% and eliminate late-night operations, which are typically peak hours.
• Despite government efforts, some Egyptians have resisted the closures by continuing activities indoors and criticizing the policy on social media, highlighting the economic and social strain caused by the restrictions.
• Additional energy-saving measures include dimming streetlights, closing government offices early, and encouraging remote work, with exemptions for key tourist areas to protect vital foreign currency revenue.
• The measures respond to soaring global energy prices and supply disruptions caused by the conflict, significantly increasing Egypt’s oil import costs and threatening further fuel price hikes if consumption is not curbed.