Egypt will begin testing a digital system to track fuel distribution in Port Said on November 1 using vehicles’ electronic traffic stickers to strengthen oversight of fuel sales and curb smuggling and the diversion of petroleum products, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said on 31 October.

The month-long pilot will give vehicle owners who have not installed the stickers time to comply and allow authorities to complete coverage of fuel stations across the governorate, the ministry added.

Developed in coordination with the ministries of interior and communications and information technology, the system will collect and analyse refuelling data to monitor the distribution chain from supply to the end consumer.

The ministry said the system would help authorities identify unusual consumption patterns and strengthen inspections, but would not affect fuel prices or the quantities dispensed to motorists.

It said the initiative was intended to improve distribution efficiency while ensuring that domestic fuel needs continued to be met.

Egypt has been expanding digital oversight of fuel distribution through tanker GPS tracking, automated station-tank measurements and electronic shipment monitoring. The systems aim to detect irregularities, improve inventory management and protect public funds, with inspections previously uncovering large-scale fuel smuggling.