Pump shock in Tanzania as petrol jumps by Sh50 (Tsh1,000)

Motorists in Tanzania are experiencing extra pain at the pump after petrol prices rose by about Sh50 (Tsh1,000) per litre in the latest changes by the country’s energy regulator.

Tanzanians living in the country’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, will now pay Tsh3,820 (about Sh192) per litre of petrol, up from Tsh2,864 (or about Sh144) in March.

Diesel will now retail at Tsh3,806 (about Sh191.5), while kerosene will retail at Tsh3,684 (about Sh185) per litre in the new pricing announced by the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) last night.

In March, a litre of diesel was retailing at Tsh2,858 (about Sh143), while that of kerosene was going for Tsh2,932 (about Sh147).

In Dodoma, the capital city, a litre of petrol will sell at Tsh3,899 (about Sh197), while diesel will retail at Tsh3,884 (about Sh195.5) as the Middle East crisis enters day 33.

The changes in fuel prices in the country for April 2026 have been largely influenced by the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran, which began on February 28, according to the regulator.

“Attacks on oil fields, storage facilities, and refineries, along with Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles approximately 20% of the world’s transported oil, have affected oil production in the Middle East, from which Tanzania sources most of its products,” EWURA said.

The regulator added: “This has equally increased shipping costs due to a shortage of cargo vessels and raised insurance premiums for cargo ships.”

EWURA said the increase in fuel prices is part of a global crisis, and Tanzania, as part of this, is taking various measures to ensure the security of fuel supply in the country and maintain affordable prices to minimise economic and social impacts.

“In light of this situation, citizens are advised to use fuel carefully and efficiently,” the regulator stated, adding that the FOB reference prices used are those that prevail in the Arab Gulf market.

For April 2026 cap prices, EWURA announced that the FOB prices increased by 69.98% for petrol, 114.46% for diesel, and 120.81% for kerosene.

In April 2026, the premiums of products received through Dar es Salaam Port increased by an average of 15.3% for petrol, 10.8% for diesel, with no changes for kerosene.

“The premiums for products received through the Tanga port increased by 6.9% for petrol, with no changes for diesel. There are no changes for premiums for products received through Mtwara Port,” EWURA explained.

It added: “Notwithstanding the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, current petroleum stocks remain sufficient to meet domestic consumption needs.”

The authorities cautioned that Oil Marketing Companies are free to sell their products at a price that gives them a competitive advantage, provided that such price does not exceed the price cap and is not below the floor price for the relevant product as computed according to EWURA.

The news from Tanzania is sending fears in neighbouring countries, including Kenya, over possible similar changes in the EPRA review, which takes place every 14th of the month.

Two days ago, William Ruto said his administration is monitoring events in the Middle East and has put in place contingency plans to cushion Kenyans from the effects of disruptions in supply.

Former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has warned that April will be the toughest and most brutal month of all time as the real effects of the war in Iran take a toll on the global economy.

"The Hormuz effects of energy supply disruptions will hammer the global economy. In countries like Kenya, pump prices will end up in the region of Sh230 to Sh250 per litre," he said in a post on X.

Kuria warned that there will be pressure and temptations to apply knee-jerk and short-term solutions such as subsidies and foregoing tax revenues.

"This must be avoided at all costs. Messing up the macroeconomic gains achieved so far will come with consequences that cannot be undone even two years after the war," he said.

Kuria added: "As a nation, we must collectively swallow the bitter Hormuz inflation pill while hoping that Netanyahu, Trump, and the faceless IRGC leadership in Tehran come back to their senses to save the world."