Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva has announced that Rwanda is set to receive its first shipment of 40,000 tonnes of refined petroleum products by the end of July 2026, with the cargo expected to arrive at the Port of Tanga in Tanzania.
He made the announcement on Thursday, July 9, 2026, while presenting to a joint session of Parliament the Government’s initiatives aimed at strengthening Rwanda’s economic resilience and improving citizens’ livelihoods.
Centralized Fuel Procurement to Reduce Costs
Dr. Nsengiyumva said the Government has introduced a centralized petroleum procurement system through the Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC) in collaboration with oil-producing and petroleum-refining countries.
“To facilitate the importation of petroleum products and sustainably reduce their cost, the Government has introduced a centralized procurement system through the Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC). This initiative is being implemented in collaboration with countries that produce and refine petroleum,” he said.
He added that Rwanda will begin receiving one shipment every month after the first delivery, helping to stabilize fuel supplies and reduce price fluctuations over the long term.
Regional Partnerships Strengthen Fuel Supply
The announcement follows a series of regional agreements aimed at improving Rwanda’s access to petroleum products.
On June 29, 2026, Rwanda signed a cooperation agreement with Kenya to facilitate petroleum imports through the Port of Mombasa, giving the country access to Kenya’s fuel storage facilities, transportation infrastructure, and petroleum pipeline network.
The state-to-state agreement is expected to strengthen Rwanda’s fuel security, reduce logistical bottlenecks, and improve the reliability of fuel imports.
Tanzania Deal Expands Import Routes
Following the Kenya agreement, Rwanda also partnered with Tanzania to import petrol and diesel through the Port of Tanga.
The agreement was signed between the Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC) and Gulf Bulk Petroleum Tanzania Limited (GBP), creating an additional supply route expected to improve the efficiency and resilience of Rwanda’s petroleum supply chain.
Monthly Shipments Expected to Stabilize Fuel Prices
Prime Minister Nsengiyumva said the arrival of the first 40,000-tonne shipment marks the beginning of a long-term strategy to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products and more predictable fuel prices.
According to the latest fuel price adjustment announced on June 5, 2026, petrol is retailing at RWF 2,938 per litre, while diesel is selling at RWF 2,927 per litre in Rwanda. The Government expects the new procurement strategy and regional partnerships to contribute to lower and more stable fuel prices in the future.
