Rwanda Raises Fuel Prices Again

KIGALI : Rwanda has announced a fresh increase in fuel prices, pushing both petrol and diesel to record highs as the country grapples with rising international petroleum costs and tightening supply conditions. The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) said on Friday that effective June 6, petrol will retail at a maximum of 2,938 Rwandan francs ($2.05) per litre, while diesel will cost up to 2,927 francs per litre. The latest increase comes less than two months after a previous adjustment that saw petrol rise to 2,303 francs per litre from 1,989 francs and diesel increase to 2,205 francs from 1,948 francs, with the revised prices taking effect on April 4. The June revision means petrol prices have climbed by nearly 48% since early April, while diesel prices have risen by more than 32% over the same period. In a statement, RURA attributed the latest increases to developments in international petroleum markets and supply conditions but said government intervention had helped cushion consumers from steeper price hikes. “Government interventions have helped moderate the increase in pump prices, keeping them below the level that would result from market conditions alone,” the regulator said. The authority added that support measures were intended to cushion transport and freight services and limit broader economic impacts. Unlike the April adjustment, when authorities also revised public transport tariffs upward, RURA said public transport fares would remain unchanged despite the latest rise in fuel costs. “Government support measures will continue to assist public transport operators in managing higher fuel costs and ensure affordable transport services for commuters,” the regulator said. Reliance The announcement underscores the growing challenge facing East African economies that rely heavily on imported petroleum products. Rwanda imports all of its fuel through regional transport corridors, making domestic pump prices particularly vulnerable to shifts in global oil markets, freight costs and supply disruptions. The latest increase follows months of volatility in international energy markets driven by supply concerns and geopolitical tensions, which have pushed up costs for fuel-importing countries across Africa. Economists say higher fuel prices are likely to increase costs across the economy, particularly in transport, agriculture, manufacturing and retail sectors that depend heavily on road freight. However, Kigali’s decision to maintain public transport fares suggests authorities are seeking to contain the immediate impact on households and prevent a broader rise in the cost of living. RURA said it would continue monitoring global and regional petroleum market developments and take appropriate measures to ensure market stability, fair pricing and reliable fuel supplies nationwide.