Kenya and Rwanda have activated a transit route for Rwandan petroleum imports through the Port of Mombasa, under a new energy cooperation framework. The framework is expected to yield mutual economic benefits for both countries. On October 1, 2026, senior Kenyan and Rwandan officials received a maiden 40,000-tonne consignment of diesel and petrol at the Kipevu Oil Terminal 2. The delegation was led by Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi and his Rwandan counterpart, Armand Zingiro.
Wandayi stated that Kenya is fully prepared to serve as Rwanda's gateway to the global energy market and primary transit corridor for petroleum imports. He emphasized that fuel security is a shared regional concern and that Kenya's commitment aligns with broader EAC integration objectives. Wandayi noted that a predictable supply of petroleum products to Rwanda supports commerce, industry, and livelihoods across the EAC. The bilateral agreement on bulk importation of refined petroleum products for Rwanda was formally signed on June 29, 2026.
The new agreement is expected to significantly increase Rwanda-bound transit volumes through Kenya. Under the framework, Rwanda-bound transit volumes are projected to grow from roughly 60,000 cubic meters to 600,000 cubic meters annually. The Kenya Pipeline Company has invested heavily in its 1,342-kilometer pipeline network, which has an annual throughput capacity of about 14 billion liters. KPC maintains 1.138 billion liters of storage capacity nationwide.
The Port of Mombasa's Kipevu Oil Terminal 2 facility, commissioned in 2022, can handle four vessels simultaneously. Captain William Ruto, Kenya Ports Authority managing director, highlighted KPA's role in facilitating regional trade. He noted recent major operational milestones across KPA-managed ports, including the Lokichar crude oil project and a vessel for Dangote, which was offloading project cargo and equipment for the construction of the Dangote oil refinery in Lamu.
The maiden Rwandan consignment, carried by the MT Sea Wolf, arrived at the Port of Mombasa at 6 am on October 1 and docked immediately. The vessel is expected to complete discharge within 15 to 20 hours. KPC's acting managing director, Pius Mwendwa, affirmed the company's readiness to support the framework. He highlighted that KPC operates a marine loading facility at the Kisumu Oil Jetty, offering a cost-effective waterborne route towards Rwanda via Uganda.
Rwanda's Energy Minister, Armand Zingiro, observed that market instabilities occurring far beyond regional borders are swiftly felt by consumers at local fuel pumps. He stated that the Rwandan government is deliberately diversifying its import corridors to safeguard supply resilience as a landlocked country. Zingiro reassured Rwandans of a stable fuel supply, noting that Rwanda has directly invested in KPC following its listing on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
The energy cooperation framework between Kenya and Rwanda is a significant milestone in the EAC integration process. The partnership aims to scale up trade not only between Kenya and Rwanda but across the entire EAC block. With Rwanda relying entirely on imported refined petroleum products, strategic corridor diversification is critical to its national energy security.
Key points
- The Port of Mombasa will handle 600,000 cubic meters of Rwanda's petroleum imports annually.
- The energy cooperation framework between Kenya and Rwanda aims to strengthen EAC integration objectives.
- The Kipevu Oil Terminal 2 facility can handle four vessels simultaneously, enhancing maritime efficiency.
