Kenya and Rwanda have marked the arrival of Rwanda’s first bulk fuel shipment through Kenya, opening a new route for petroleum imports along the Northern Corridor.
The vessel, MT Sea Wolf, arrived at the Kenya Pipeline Company’s Kipevu Oil Terminal 2 carrying 40,000 metric tonnes of refined petroleum products for the Rwanda National Energy Company.
The ceremony was attended by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, James Opiyo Wandayi, and Rwanda’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Armand Zingiro.
Wandayi said the shipment was an important step in strengthening trade and energy cooperation between the two countries.
“This is a proud milestone for Kenya and for our partnership with Rwanda. The arrival of this maiden cargo through Kipevu is the practical result of nearly three years of close collaboration between our two governments,” he said.
The new arrangement allows Rwanda to use Kenya’s port, pipeline and storage infrastructure to import refined petroleum products.
It follows an agreement signed by the two governments on June 29, 2026. Kenya Pipeline Company and Rwanda National Energy Company have also signed an agreement covering the transport, storage and handling of the fuel.
Zingiro said the route would give Rwanda a more reliable and cost-effective way of importing petroleum products.
The two countries said the partnership is also expected to improve regional energy security, make fuel supply chains more efficient and reduce transport costs.
