Rwanda has increased the price of petrol by more than Rwf600 per litre, in a fresh adjustment that reflects ongoing pressure in global oil markets.

The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) announced that petrol will now sell at Rwf2,938 per litre, up from Rwf2,303. Diesel prices, however, remain unchanged at Rwf2,205 per litre.
The new rates took effect on April 17 at 6:00 a.m.

RURA said the latest review follows continued volatility in international oil supply, with geopolitical tensions in key producing regions contributing to higher costs. The regulator also noted that diesel was deliberately held steady to ease pressure on public transport and goods movement, as most commercial vehicles depend on it.

This latest increase comes just weeks after earlier adjustments. On April 3, petrol rose from Rwf1,989 to Rwf2,303 per litre, while diesel moved up from Rwf1,948 to Rwf2,205. Before that, prices were last reviewed on March 5.

Authorities say the repeated hikes are already affecting transport costs, with fare adjustments reported in Kigali and other parts of the country. The ripple effect has also been seen in the prices of food items and cooking gas, as higher logistics costs filter through the supply chain.

Officials have linked the sustained pressure on fuel prices to disruptions in global oil supply, including tensions involving major producers in the Middle East.

The government says it is still assessing the broader economic impact of the increases and has not ruled out targeted support measures such as subsidies if certain sectors are hit harder.

RURA urged residents to use fuel more efficiently, consider shared transport options, and reduce unnecessary trips as part of efforts to manage demand during the price surge.