Kenya and Rwanda have signed a landmark agreement that will allow Kigali to import bulk refined petroleum products through Mombasa under a government-to-government framework.
The signing ceremony was held at KASNEB Tower in Nairobi on June 29, 2026, where the two countries executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a Tripartite Agreement (TPA), and a Transport and Storage Agreement (TSA), effectively opening the Northern Corridor to Rwanda’s fuel imports.
“Today, Kenya and Rwanda sign three documents: the Memorandum of Understanding, the Tripartite Agreement, and the Transport and Storage Agreement, fully opening the Northern Corridor to Rwanda for the import of Bulk Refined Petroleum Products under their G2G arrangement. Kenya is putting its Pipeline, its Port, and its People at the service of Rwanda’s energy security,” said Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi during the ceremony.
Kenya and Rwanda Formalize New Petroleum Transit Framework
The agreements were signed in the presence of Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry Antoine Marie Kajangwe, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Kenya Ernest Rwamucyo, Kenya’s High Commissioner to Rwanda Ambassador Janet Oben, senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), and Rwanda’s National Energy Company (RNEC).
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According to CS Wandayi, the agreements establish the legal, commercial and operational framework that will allow Rwanda to import bulk refined petroleum products through the Port of Mombasa and transport them via Kenya’s pipeline and storage infrastructure under a government-to-government arrangement.
The initiative follows bilateral discussions held in Kigali in November 2024, when Kenya and Rwanda agreed on a roadmap to deepen cooperation in the petroleum sector.
Wandayi said the discussions were undertaken following a directive from President William Ruto aimed at strengthening regional trade and integration.
Wandayi revealed that Rwanda had registered its National Energy Company in Kenya and secured an Import, Export and Wholesale of Petroleum Products license from EPRA.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that the framework documents underwent review and approval processes across multiple government agencies in both countries before receiving the endorsements.
Fuel Volumes Expected to Increase More Than Tenfold
The agreement is expected to increase the volume of petroleum products transported through the Northern Corridor.
According to Wandayi, Rwanda currently imports approximately 50,000 cubic meters of fuel annually through the corridor. Under the new arrangement, these volumes are projected to exceed 500,000 cubic meters per year, representing a more-than-tenfold increase.
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The expansion is expected to strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional energy and logistics hub while enhancing Rwanda’s long-term fuel security of supply.
Wandayi announced that Rwanda’s first cargo of refined petroleum products is expected to arrive at the Port of Mombasa in September 2026.
“Rwanda’s maiden cargo, landing at the Port of Mombasa in September 2026, will be the first true hallmark of our success on this front and I know my counterpart, Hon. Minister Kajangwe, is also committed to this,” said Wandayi.
The Cabinet Secretary also congratulated Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Antoine Marie Kajangwe, on his recent promotion from Permanent Secretary to Cabinet Minister.
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