How Fuel Prices Compare Across East Africa After Latest Review

Vivo energies Petrol Station

Fuel prices across East Africa continue to vary widely, with Kenya recording the highest costs for both petrol and diesel in the region.

In Kenya, motorists are currently paying Ksh206.97 per litre of petrol and Ksh206.84 per litre of diesel, placing the country at the top of the regional price range.

By comparison, Uganda has relatively lower prices, with petrol retailing at Ksh187.96 and diesel at Ksh186.22. Tanzania also maintains moderate pricing, with petrol at Ksh190.19 and diesel at Ksh189.49.

Further north, Ethiopia records some of the lowest fuel prices, particularly for diesel at Ksh134.81, while petrol costs Ksh177.06.

In the Great Lakes region, Rwanda posts petrol prices at Ksh203.09 and diesel at Ksh194.45, positioning it just below Kenya. Meanwhile, Burundi has the lowest prices among the countries surveyed, with petrol at Ksh171.33 and diesel at Ksh168.12.

The latest prices follow a review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which announced new rates effective from April 15 to May 14, 2026.

According to EPRA, diesel increased by Ksh40.30 per litre, while super petrol rose by Ksh28.69 per litre. The price of kerosene remained unchanged.

“In Nairobi, super petrol, diesel and kerosene now retail at Ksh206.97, Ksh206.84 and Ksh152.78 respectively, effective midnight for the next 30 days,” EPRA stated.

The regulator noted that the new prices factor in various tax components and legislative changes affecting the petroleum sector.

“The prices are inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT), in line with the VAT Act, 2013 as read with Legal Notice No.69 dated April 14, 2026, the Finance Act, 2023, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024 and the revised excise duty rates adjusted for inflation,” the statement added.

To cushion consumers from rising global fuel costs, EPRA said the government reduced VAT on petroleum products from 16 per cent to 13 per cent.

“Effectively, the VAT rate on super petrol, diesel and kerosene has been reduced to cushion consumers from the high landed cost of petroleum products due to escalated international prices,” EPRA explained.

The government will also utilise approximately Ksh6.2 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) to stabilise pump prices.

EPRA further clarified that a recent fuel shipment delivered by One Petroleum was excluded from the pricing calculations.

“We wish to reiterate that the super petrol delivered by One Petroleum ex MT Paloma has not been included in the computation of the applicable prices,” the regulator said.

The authority attributed the sharp increase in prices to a surge in global fuel costs over the past month.

“The average landed cost of imported super petrol increased by 41.53 per cent from US$582.11 per cubic metre in February 2026 to US$823.87 per cubic metre in March 2026. Diesel rose by 68.72 per cent to US$1,073.2 per cubic metre, while kerosene increased by 105.15 per cent to US$1,311.93 per cubic metre,” EPRA stated.