Rwanda’s petrol price has sharply increased to Frw 2,938 per litre, up from Frw 2,303, marking a significant rise of Frw 635, while diesel remains unchanged at Frw 2,205 per litre.
The new prices were announced by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) and took effect from April 17, 2026.
In a statement, RURA attributed the latest adjustment to fluctuations in global petroleum markets, alongside government measures aimed at cushioning the economy from rising international fuel prices.
“Due to mitigation measures put in place to counter the impact of these changes, the price of diesel has remained unchanged,” RURA noted, emphasizing the need to sustain public transport services, goods transportation, and broader economic activities.
The regulator urged the public to plan travel carefully, prioritize the use of public transport, adopt carpooling, and avoid unnecessary trips to reduce fuel consumption.
RURA also indicated it will continue monitoring global and regional fuel market trends, while ensuring efficient supply and service delivery across the country.
The latest increase comes just weeks after a previous revision on April 3, 2026, when petrol rose to Frw 2,303 and diesel to Frw 2,205. Earlier, in March, petrol was priced at Frw 1,989, while diesel stood at Frw 1,948—highlighting a steep upward trend in recent months.
The surge in fuel prices is largely driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, where ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has disrupted global oil supply chains. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly 20% of the world’s daily oil supply passes—has significantly tightened supply.
As a result, global oil prices have spiked above $100 per barrel. Brent crude recently rose by 8.5% to $102.37, while West Texas Intermediate climbed by 9% to $105.34, further exerting pressure on domestic fuel prices in import-dependent economies like Rwanda.
