Rwanda has signed an agreement with Tanzania to import refined petroleum products through the Port of Tanga, expanding its fuel supply network as the country grapples with a sharp rise in pump prices and seeks to strengthen the security of its fuel supplies.
The agreement was signed between the Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC), the state-owned firm responsible for petroleum imports and distribution, and Gulf Bulk Petroleum Tanzania Limited (GBP). It will allow Rwanda to import gasoline and diesel through the Port of Tanga, adding another strategic route for fuel supplies.
The deal comes as Rwanda, like many countries, faces rising fuel prices and continued volatility in global energy markets. The government has been working to diversify the routes used to import petroleum products in an effort to reduce supply disruptions and improve the reliability of fuel deliveries.
According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the agreement will enable refined petroleum products to enter Rwanda through the Port of Tanga, expanding the country’s fuel import corridors instead of relying on one or two routes.
The agreement follows another petroleum supply pact signed between Rwanda and Kenya on June 29, 2026. That agreement gives Rwanda access to petroleum storage facilities, transportation infrastructure and pipeline services linked to the Port of Mombasa, further strengthening the country’s fuel supply chain.
Together, the two agreements establish a government-to-government framework for petroleum imports that is expected to improve Rwanda’s energy security, reduce transport bottlenecks and enhance planning for fuel supplies.
As a landlocked country, Rwanda imports all of its petroleum products overland through neighboring countries. Most fuel enters the country through the ports of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Mombasa in Kenya.
The new partnership with Gulf Bulk Petroleum Tanzania Limited broadens Rwanda’s supply options by adding the Port of Tanga to its fuel import network. While Mombasa serves the Northern Corridor, Tanga complements Dar es Salaam by providing an additional route through Tanzania, reducing dependence on a single transport corridor.
Officials say the strategy is intended to strengthen the resilience of Rwanda’s petroleum supply system while supporting regional trade and energy cooperation in East Africa.
RNEC was established to oversee the importation and distribution of petroleum products in Rwanda, ensuring fuel is available in a timely, reliable and sustainable manner to support industry, transportation and the broader economy.
The agreement comes as fuel prices have risen sharply in recent months. Over the past three months, the price of gasoline has increased by 949 Rwandan francs ($0.66) per liter, or 47.7%, while diesel has risen by 979 francs ($0.68) per liter, representing a 50.3% increase.
