Fuel Overview 

Currently, Rwanda imports all its petroleum products requirements from abroad since there is no local production. The consumption of petroleum in Rwanda stands at 23 million litres per month. This constitutes about 20% of total national imports and has been steadily rising in the past five years, with an average annual increase of 12 per cent. 
The main policy objective for the sub-sector is to ensure safe, sufficient, reliable, sustainable and affordable supply of petroleum product. This entails boosting investments in supply and storage infrastructure.  

In order to address current sub-sector challenges, the Rwanda Energy Policy reinforces the implementation of existing sub-sector policies through the following objectives: 

Accelerate regional cooperation and strategic infrastructure development to reduce the costs of procurement, transportation and storage of petroleum products. 
Project: 
Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali petroleum pipeline: the Governments of Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda have agreed   to promote investment for the extension of petroleum pipeline from Eldoret in Kenya to Kampala and Kigali. Feasibility study has been commissioned in 2014. Fund mobilization through the private sector is ongoing. 

Ensure security of petroleum supply by ensuring adequate storage infrastructure and adequate strategic reserves: 
Ensure adequate storage infrastructure: currently Rwanda petroleum storage infrastructure essentially consists of government and private sector owned fuel depots equivalent to 72,000,000 litres as per table below: 

The downstream infrastructure of petroleum including storage depots, petrol service stations, import transmission, distribution, and trade of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is regulated by RURA. 

Additional information on the role of RURA can be obtained on the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority Website.    

The oil companies are required to keep 10,000 m³ of operational stock to ensure that there is sufficient petroleum supply within the country. Storage facilities are located at: Kigali, Gisenyi, Gatsatsa, and Butare. There are three facilities of 3,660 m³ each at Gatsatsa and two facilities of 1,950 m³ at Butare. 

For more info on fuel transport, fuel price and fuel depots, please visit the Rwanda Ministry of Trade and Industry Website.  

For more information on government and fuel provider contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List

Information may also be found at: http://www.mytravelcost.com/petrol-prices/ which is updated monthly.  

Fuel Pricing 

Fuel prices are regulated by the Government of Rwanda through the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), which has the mandate to regulate certain public Utilities, namely: telecommunications network and/or services, electricity, water, removal of waste products from residential or business premises, extraction and distribution of gas and transport of goods and persons. 

The price of other petroleum products is not controlled. The government's oil price policy is used to keep the selling prices constant while adapting the level of taxation to compensate for changes in the world market.  

As of 16 September 2022, the average price of diesel and gasoline around the world is 1.29 US$ / litre. (Source: Global Petrol Prices)   

Seasonal Variations  

Variations in supply may occur if there are problems with the supply or availability of fuel from the fuel sourcing countries: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. 

Fuel Transportation 

Internal transportation of fuel in Rwanda is carried out by trucks from Kenya (Nairobi and Eldoret) and Dar es Salaam. The supply is relatively constant and can meet the local demand. However, there have been reports of limited storage capacity for fuel in the country. To address that issue, the Government partnered with private oil dealers to have reserves of up to 150 million litres. In 2015, Societe Petroliere LTD has completed the construction of 21 million litres capacity in Rusororo Sector, Gasabo District, in Kigali where the inland terminal for the proposed Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali pipeline for refined petroleum products will be located. Other companies that have already embarked on storage construction include Abbarci Petroleum Marketing (ABBARCI), Oryx Petroleum, Protek and Mont Meru Petroleum Rwanda. The existing capacity 30 million litres will be significantly increased by the year 2017. (Source: The New Times)  

Standards, Quality and Testing 

 
Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.  

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider. 

Transporters 

All activities within the road transport sector are managed by the Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) which operates under the Ministry of Infrastructure (MINIFRA). Within the legal and institutional framework stated in the National Transport Policy, MINIFRA is responsible for the sector policies and strategies. 

The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA), which reports directly to the Office of the Prime Minister, whilst playing coordinative role between the MINIFRA and service providers ensures fair competition in the market in addition to ensuring compliance with national transport laws and regulations. 

The “Association des Transporteurs Agréés au Rwanda” (ATAR) is an association of private goods transport operators which works in collaboration with the Private sector federation (PSF). The objectives of the association are to support transporters and regulate prices. The transport market in Rwanda has players from neighbouring countries. As a result, there is free competition in the market across all transporters. 

With the growing economy and increase of industries production for export, Rwandan freight transporters have also increased their logistical skills and international good practices such as, electronic cargo tracking systems to compete effectively with those in neighbouring countries.  

The transport capacity in the market is able to meet local demand, although, very costly. Some of the factors which contribute to this high cost are the limited availability of freight transport companies and high fuel charges. Mostly, trucks owners prefer to operate individually instead of forming companies. Transporters from neighbouring countries are utilised to a great extent for the importation of products and subcontracted by local transporters for export. Long hauliers in Rwanda are involved in exportation of Tea and coffee to neighbouring countries.  

The current transport capacity supplemented with operators from neighbouring countries can accommodate an influx in demand from the humanitarian community.  

Cross border transport is currently costly due to a number of constraints faced by transporters along the way. In addition, there has been very significant increase in transport costs because of the global fuel crisis, imposition of new axle-load restrictions and customs delays in the region. 

The file attached below contains contact for transport companies utilised by the World Food Programme Rwanda. 

For more information on transport company contact details, please see the following link: 4.8 Transporter Contact List. 

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.  

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider. 

Manual Labour 

Manual labour is extensively used in the country by grain processors, in factories, in markets and by government institutions. Manual labourers work in cooperatives and their costs are charged 1 rwf per kilo or USD 1.5 per metric ton, particularly for packaged food. 

The operations of labourers are very restricted within these cooperatives, which also have their established areas of operations. As such movement of individuals from one place of work to another is guarded. Casual labour 1.45USD controversy rates at refugee camps range between 24,000rwf, or 23USD, per month. 

Telecommunications 

The operation of telecommunication services in Rwanda is controlled by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA). The telecommunications network in Rwanda, particularly for mobile phones, covers most parts of the country with three main players in the market. 

Mobile telephone coverage is provided by, MTN Rwanda cell and Airtel Rwanda LTD who all offer prepaid and post-paid services. Mobile phone SIM cards are readily available at the Service provider shop. For all two companies, roaming facilities are provided in many countries. Roaming charges are applied. 

Landline telephone services are provided by Liquid Telecom, a subsidiary company of Econet Wireless Group based in South Africa.  Econet Wireless acquired the assets and businesses from Rwanda Tel which had previously been the biggest landline line service provider in the country. Additionally, MTN Rwanda cell, Airtel Rwanda LTD and BSC offer fixed Telephone services. 

For more information on Rwanda Telecommunications, please see the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority Website.  

Rwanda Telecom market is now composed by two (2) Telecommunication Operators that include MTN Rwanda Ltd and Airtel Rwanda Ltd, four (4) Internet Service Providers (ISPs), one (1) Wholesaler Network Service Provider, two (2) Network Facility Providers and twenty-three (23) Retailer Internet Service Providers. 

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.11 Additional Services Contact List. 

Telecommunications Regulations 

Communication equipment should be licensed with the government authority known as Agence de Regulation Multi-sectorielle. There are no satellite phone providers in Rwanda so selected WFP staff use Thuraya. Radio communication is restricted for use by government, humanitarian, and business organisations. 

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems 

All UN agencies in Rwanda have established radio communication systems (HF & VHF) and use a common radio network managed by UNDSS. Coordination is managed by the UN Security Cell.  

In Rwanda, the satellite in service is VSAT Fast broadband two-way satellite internet service from Brussels Satellite VSAT private teleport. 

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) 

As per Statistics Report for Telecom, Media and Broadcasting Sector as of the Year 2022, the operators providing mobile telephone services are MTN Rwanda Ltd and Airtel Rwanda Ltd. 

For information on MNOs please visit the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority Website. 

According to the Rwanda Agricultural Sector Situational Analysis Report (IPAR, 2009), local food production was expected to meet 91% domestic consumption for the year 2012. It is estimated that two thirds of Rwandan households’ food production is consumed within the family. The Government encourages all smallholder households to retain one-third of their production for own consumption. Land is the most binding constraint to production, with 78.5% of the country’s total land surface being used for agriculture, indicating severe scarcity of this critical production factor. Rwanda therefore remains a food-deficit country, importing on average 130,000 mt of food per year. High population growth, averaging 2.9% per year, and modest income gains have fueled an increasing demand for food which has exceeded production gains.

However according to the Ministry of Agriculture MINAGRI statistics, production of food crops has increased dramatically over the years owing to good agricultural policies. Maize production has increased. However, the findings from the 2015 Comprehensive Food security and Vulnerably Assessment revealed a trade deficit in cereals between 2013 and 2014 where there was more cereals imported than exported.

Food crops are mainly imported from Uganda to meet demand not met by local production. Maize is the main food import. Wholesale prices of maize and beans are sustained by flow of import of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Key trading markets in Rwanda include the Nyabugogo Market, which is the main wholesale market for food crops. Each of the country’s 30 districts has main food markets, with the Kimironko and Nyarugenge markets being the other main markets in Kigali.

Main Food Suppliers

Maize, Beans and Sorghum are the most consumed food crops that can be found in bulk in Rwanda.  In the year 2012, market surpluses of 227,500 mt of beans and 341, 250 mt Maize were recorded. Most of the maize meal locally produced is exported into DRC, with domestic demand standing at 80,000 mt per year. Production of small mills and main milling plant MINIMEX stands at 72,000 mt per year.

The maize and beans value chain are comprised of several stages and actors. The main actors in the maize and beans value chains are farmers, traders (distributors, wholesalers and retailers), millers and consumers.

The private sector commodity trade is dominated by a few relatively large local buyers and agro processors.. The major three importers of cereals were Bakhresa Grain Milling (Rwanda) Limited; Pembe flour mills (Rwanda); SARL, which is a processor; and MINAGRIm which focuses on whole grains and rebuilding the national strategic grain reserve.

Through the Clinton Health Access Initiative, there are plans to set up a Corn Soya Blend manufacturing plant. Production is expected to commence in September 2016. Currently, Corn Soya Blend is mostly imported from South Africa and Europe. A local company, SOSOMA Industries Limited, supplies blended food to the government on a small scale.

Sugar Production barely meets local demand. Kabuye Sugar Works is Rwanda’s sole sugar maker, producing about 30 per cent of the market supply. The factory currently produces 10,000 mt of sugar annually. (Source: Institute of Policy Analysis and Research - Rwanda) 

Generic country information can be located from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For a general overview of country data related to the service and supply sectors, please consult the following links:

The Observatory of Economic Complexity – MIT (OEC) Information on Rwanda 

National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

USAID Food Assistance Fact Sheet-Rwanda

For contact information on suppliers in Rwanda, please see the following link: 4.9 Rwanda Supplier Contact List

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities. Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

Vehicle Rental 

There is only one internationally recognised car rental agency in Rwanda, based at Kigali Airport. 

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.  

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.