Rwanda has begun importing refined petroleum products through Kenya under a new government-backed arrangement, with a 40,000-tonne maiden cargo arriving at the Kipevu Oil Terminal in Mombasa on Tuesday.
The arrival of the MT Sea Wolf marks the operational launch of a new route for Rwanda’s bulk fuel imports through the Northern Corridor, using Kenya’s port and pipeline infrastructure.
The arrangement is aimed at strengthening Rwanda’s energy security and making its petroleum supply chain more resilient, while deepening economic integration between the two East African countries.
Rwanda’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Armand Zingiro, said the shipment reflected the two governments’ commitment to regional cooperation and the wider East African Community integration agenda.
He said Rwanda expected the maiden cargo to be followed by more shipments, potentially expanding the partnership between the two countries.
“This new route through the Northern Corridor will give Rwanda a reliable and cost-effective way to import refined petroleum products our economy depends on,” Zingiro said.
Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary James Opiyo Wandayi said the arrival was the result of nearly three years of cooperation and reinforced Kenya’s role as a logistics gateway for the region.
The framework was established through three agreements signed in June: a memorandum of understanding, a tripartite agreement and a transport and storage agreement involving the two governments, Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC) and Kenya Pipeline Company.
Kenya has said petroleum volumes transported to Rwanda through the Northern Corridor could eventually increase from about 50,000 cubic metres a year to more than 500,000 cubic metres.
Rwanda is also developing arrangements to use the Central Corridor through Tanzania, giving the country access to multiple regional routes for petroleum imports.
The first shipment therefore puts into operation a broader strategy by Rwanda to use regional infrastructure and partnerships to secure petroleum supplies.
