Tanzanian fuel prices have surged as tensions in eastern Europe continue to wreak havoc on the global oil market.
Petrol will be sold at Tsh3,148 ($1.36) a litre at the pump in Dar es Salaam, according to the latest ceiling prices for petroleum products announced late Tuesday by the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), up from Tsh2,861 ($1.23) and Tsh2,692 ($1.16), respectively, in April.
The new prices, which take effect on Wednesday, May 4, represent a 9.5 percent increase for gasoline and a 17.1 percent increase for diesel, respectively, following increases of 12 and 21 percent in April.
According to EWURA, the retail price for kerosene in Dar es Salaam will be Tsh3,112 ($1.34) per litre compared to Tsh2,682 ($1.15) in April and Tsh2,209 ($0.95) in March.
“Prices of each petroleum product throughout the country will be computed based on the cost of the product received through the ports and the transport costs to the respective regions,” the agency said.
Kyerwa area in Kagera region, on the border with Rwanda and Uganda, remains the most costly selling point, with petrol currently costing Tsh3,385 ($1.46) per litre, diesel Tsh3,495 ($1.51), and kerosene Tsh3,350 ($1.44) per litre.
EWURA explained that “about 93 percent” of the latest price changes were attributable to rising world oil market prices and “about 4 percent to premiums”.
“Furthermore, prices in the country are comparable to prices applicable to neighbouring countries,” it added.
Wholesale rates for petrol and diesel shipments offloaded at Tanzania’s main ports surpassed Tsh3,000 ($1.3 per litre) for the first time in April, prompting the announcement of the new retail prices.
According to EWURA, petrol imported through the port of Dar es Salaam would cost Tsh3,015 ($1.302) per litre, while petrol imported through Tanga will cost Tsh3,028 ($1.308) and Mtwara will cost Tsh3,044 ($1.315).
Dar’s diesel exports were priced at Tsh3,125 ($1.35) per litre, Tanga’s at Tsh3,131 ($1.353), and Mtwara’s at Tsh3,176 ($1.372).
Kerosene imports came solely through the port of Dar es Salaam and will be sold at a wholesale price of Tsh2,980 ($1.287) per litre, excluding transport costs to other regions of the country.