Kenya has strengthened its position as East Africa’s leading petroleum transit hub after signing a landmark agreement with Rwanda that will channel a significantly larger share of the landlocked country’s fuel imports through the Port of Mombasa and Kenya’s pipeline network.
The two countries on Monday signed three agreements establishing a government-to-government framework for transporting, storing and supplying petroleum products to Rwanda, a move expected to deepen regional energy cooperation while boosting business for the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).
The agreements comprise a memorandum of understanding between the two governments, a tripartite agreement involving Rwanda’s state-owned energy company, and a transport and storage agreement between the Rwanda National Energy Company and KPC.
Together, they create a structured framework for moving Rwanda’s fuel imports through Kenya’s petroleum infrastructure.
Under the arrangement, the first cargo covered by the new framework is expected to arrive at the Port of Mombasa between September 4 and 6, marking the official commencement of operations under the partnership.
