Rwanda signs deal with Tanzania to import fuel via Tanga port amid efforts to diversify supply routes

By The Inspirer.

Rwanda has signed a new agreement with Tanzania to import petrol and diesel through the Port of Tanga, in a move aimed at strengthening fuel supply security and diversifying import corridors.

The agreement was signed between the Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC) and Gulf Bulk Petroleum Tanzania Limited (GBP), according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Officials said the deal will enable refined petroleum products to be transported through Tanga port into Rwanda, expanding existing logistics channels and reducing dependence on a limited number of supply routes.

The development comes at a time of rising fuel prices on both local and global markets, prompting efforts by the government to enhance supply stability and resilience.

Rwanda, a landlocked country, currently imports all its petroleum products via road transport through regional ports, mainly Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Mombasa in Kenya.

The new agreement adds the Port of Tanga as an additional entry point, complementing existing corridors and widening Rwanda’s import options.

It follows a similar arrangement signed with Kenya on June 29, 2026, aimed at improving access to petroleum storage, transport and distribution infrastructure through the Port of Mombasa.

Authorities say the agreements are intended to strengthen government-to-government coordination in fuel procurement and logistics, ensuring more predictable supply and reducing potential bottlenecks in the distribution chain.

Recent data shows fuel prices have increased significantly over the past three months, with petrol rising by RWF 949 per litre (47.7%) and diesel by RWF 979 per litre (50.3%), underscoring the urgency of diversifying supply routes.

Officials say expanding import corridors through multiple regional ports will enhance energy security, improve efficiency in fuel distribution, and stabilize supply across the country.