Kajangwe said the agreements will strengthen Rwanda's access to petroleum infrastructure while creating opportunities for the country to trade fuel products with neighbouring markets.
Speaking to Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), the minister highlighted the importance of the agreements signed with companies in Kenya and Tanzania, which allow Rwanda to import petroleum products from international markets through the ports of Mombasa and Tanga.
On June 29, 2026, Rwanda signed a cooperation agreement with Kenya to facilitate the importation of petroleum products through the Port of Mombasa. The deal provides Rwanda with access to storage facilities, transportation services and petroleum distribution infrastructure in Kenya.
The agreement establishes a government-to-government framework for fuel imports, a move expected to improve supply security, reduce logistical barriers and make fuel procurement more predictable.
Petroleum volumes transported to Rwanda through the Northern Corridor are expected to increase more than tenfold, from about 50,000 cubic metres annually to more than 500,000 cubic metres, according to Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi.
Rwanda later signed a similar agreement with Tanzania on July 3 to import petrol and diesel through the Port of Tanga. The agreement was signed between Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC) and Gulf Bulk Petroleum Tanzania Limited (GBP).
The agreements come amid continued volatility in global fuel prices, which has affected markets in Rwanda and other parts of the world.
Kajangwe said the arrangements could allow Rwanda to leverage its strategic location to serve as a fuel distribution hub for the region.
'We believe this can strengthen regional trade, allowing Rwanda, given its geographical position, to supply petroleum products to neighbouring countries. Our goal is to have sufficient petroleum products that can meet demand in Rwanda and also serve markets in the region,' he said.
Rwanda, a landlocked country, imports all its petroleum products through neighbouring countries, mainly using the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and the Port of Mombasa in Kenya.
The government has in recent years pursued measures to strengthen fuel security by diversifying import routes and improving access to storage and transport infrastructure.
