Fuel Prices in Rwanda.

Vehicles have undergone changes and modifications over the years with the latest addition being electric vehicles but petrol / diesel cars have been around for generations. In the past, coal was used to run vehicles but that is not the case anymore with the discovery of oil. In Rwanda, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) is responsible for setting Fuel Prices in Rwanda but also these prices depend on a number of factors. In this articles, we’ll take you through them but first, let’s take a look at the current fuel prices in Rwanda.

Petrol and diesel, which are the most widely used fuel options come from crude oil, which comes from deep underground. Crude oil is refined to make petrol or diesel. Most forms of transport use either petrol or diesel to power their engines; from lawnmowers, cars, buses and motorbikes to large ships and aeroplanes.

Fuel is on high demand globally because it serves different purposes and that has made prices unstable. Fuel prices change every now and then so it is important to stay updated especially if you plan to travel to another country and rent a car for self drive.

On August 7^th, RURA announced new adjustments to the prices of fuel after a previous revision in June.

The prices of petrol reduced from RWF 1,663 per litre to RWF 1,629 per litre which is an almost 2% decrease.  Diesel however maintained its price of RWF1,625 per litre.

The changes were primarily influenced by the changes in international petroleum product prices and the goal of RURA was to align the local fuel prices with the current global market trends and economic conditions.

In October and November, diesel was brought to Rwf 1635, and went up to RWF 1822.

As the country headed for the festive season, RURA reduced the Fuel Prices in Rwanda and diesel went down to RWF 1639 while petrol didn’t change that much.

As of January 13^th 2025, the price of diesel is RWF 1576 per litre, and diesel still maintains its price.

RURA’s adjustments in fuel prices reflect its commitment to adapting to global economic shifts, with the reduction in gasoline prices likely benefiting consumers and businesses alike.

Fluctuations in fuel prices are caused by a combination of global and local factors. Here are some of the key factors that influence fuel prices:

Crude Oil Prices The price of crude oil is the main driver of fuel prices. When crude oil prices rise, fuel prices tend to follow.

Global Demand and Supply:  Imbalances in global demand and supply of crude oil can impact fuel prices.

Geopolitical Events: Conflicts, sanctions, wars, and other geopolitical events can disrupt crude oil production and exports, leading to price fluctuations.

Global Economic Trends:  Economic growth, inflation, and interest rates may also influence fuel prices.

Taxes and Levies: Governments impose taxes and levies on fuel, which can contribute to price fluctuations. Rwanda being a member of the EAC has a Common External tariffs which applies to imported goods including fuel.

Refining and Distribution Costs: Costs associated with refining, transporting, and distributing fuel also impact prices.

Exchange Rates: Changes in exchange rates can affect the cost of importing crude oil and refined products; affecting the overall price of fuel.

Local Demand and Supply: Imbalances in local demand and supply of fuel leads to price fluctuations.

Regulatory Policies: Changes in regulatory policies, such as price controls or subsidies, may influence fuel prices.

Weather and Natural Disasters: Severe weather events, such as hurricanes or droughts,  disrupt fuel production and distribution, leading to price fluctuations.

As noted above, the Fuel Prices in Rwanda are always subject to change and before planning a self drive trip in Rwanda, check with your rental agent about the fuel prices for proper planning.