Rwanda and Oman are exploring ways to increase petroleum product storage in Oman and East Africa to mitigate potential shortages in Rwanda due to global market disruptions. Oman's Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, stated that the two countries are discussing ways to invest in petroleum product storage to ensure a steady supply for Rwanda. This was announced on October 28, 2026, after attending a meeting organized by the International Security and Cooperation Centre (ISCA) focused on the role of energy in national security.
Al Maawali explained that having storage facilities at ports of entry and transit points will help Rwanda avoid the impact of potential transport and global market disruptions. This initiative is based on existing cooperation between Rwanda and Oman, which has led to a long-term agreement for Rwanda to purchase petroleum products. Al Maawali emphasized that the agreement to secure petroleum products must be accompanied by investment in storage and transport infrastructure to ensure a continuous supply.
To date, Rwanda has received three shipments of petroleum products, totaling around 120,000 tons, transported through ports in Tanzania and Kenya. The first two shipments, each with approximately 40,000 tons, were transported through Tanzania's Tanga port in July and August. The third shipment of 40,000 tons arrived at Kenya's Mombasa port in September 2026.
Rwanda's Minister of Trade and Industry, Antoine-Marie Kajangwe, stated that Rwanda is working with various countries to secure petroleum products sustainably and reduce reliance on a single supply route. At the ISCA meeting, Kajangwe highlighted Rwanda's focus on cooperation with East African countries, from which it imports key products, including petroleum products.
Kajangwe also mentioned that Rwanda uses the northern route through Kenya and the central route through Tanzania to facilitate the transportation of imported goods. The Rwandan government is prioritizing a strategy to consolidate its petroleum product needs to increase its purchasing power and secure better prices.
The cooperation between Rwanda and Oman was further emphasized during President Paul Kagame's visit to Oman in September 2026, where several agreements were signed in areas including investment, transport, logistics, and market access. On September 29, 2026, Rwanda received a shipment of 40,000 tons of petroleum products at Mombasa port, enabling it to use an alternative import route.
The Ministry of Infrastructure announced that this arrangement allows the Rwanda National Energy, Water and Sanitation Corporation (RNEC) to utilize Kenyan infrastructure, including petroleum product pipelines and storage facilities at Kipevu port. This storage facility will support Rwanda's efforts to increase its petroleum product storage capacity within the country.
Key points
- Rwanda and Oman are discussing ways to increase petroleum product storage to ensure a steady supply in Rwanda.
- The two countries are exploring ways to invest in storage facilities at ports of entry and transit points.
- Rwanda has received three shipments of petroleum products, totaling around 120,000 tons, through ports in Tanzania and Kenya.
