Rwanda has officially overtaken Kenya to become the most expensive retail market for petrol within the East African Community, according to verified data from the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA). As of May 2026, the price of petrol in Rwanda stands at 1,650 Rwandan francs (approximately $1.45) per liter, while in Kenya it is 195 Kenyan shillings (about $1.40) per liter.
The price increase is attributed to a series of regulatory adjustments by the Rwandan government, including a new fuel levy introduced in April 2026 to stabilize the nation's import economy and reduce reliance on foreign exchange reserves. The levy adds 50 RWF per liter to the retail price, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
In comparison, other East African Community member states like Uganda and Tanzania have lower petrol prices, at 4,500 Ugandan shillings ($1.20) and 2,800 Tanzanian shillings ($1.10) per liter, respectively. The price gap has widened due to Rwanda's recent tax changes, while Kenya's prices have remained relatively stable.
Economic analysts note that the higher fuel costs could impact Rwanda's transportation and logistics sectors, potentially increasing the cost of goods. However, the government maintains that the levy is necessary to support long-term economic stability and reduce the trade deficit.
