Fuel prices in Tanzania rise for second consecutive month
What you need to know:
- Higher fuel costs are expected to have a ripple effect on the cost of living, transport and overall economic activities in the country.
Dar es Salaam. Motorists and other consumers across Tanzania will have to dig deeper in their pockets after fuel prices rose for the second consecutive month.
The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) on Wednesday announced higher prices for March 2025.
According to a statement signed by Ewura director general James Mwainyekule, petrol, diesel and kerosene prices in Dar es Salaam have risen by 6.27 percent, 6.73 percent and 12.02 percent, respectively.
A litre of petrol now retails at Sh2,996 in the city, up from Sh2,820, while diesel costs Sh2,885 compared to Sh2,703 last month. Kerosene, which has seen the steepest increase, will now be sold at Sh3,036 per litre, up from Sh2,710 in February.
The new price for a litre of petrol in Tanga is Sh3,042, with diesel and kerosene selling at Sh2,932 and Sh3,082, respectively. Last month’s prices for the three products were Sh2,825, Sh2,746 and Sh2,756, respectively.
In Mtwara, petrol, diesel and kerosene now cost Sh3,069, Sh2,958 and Sh3,108, up from Sh2,892, Sh2,775 and Sh2,782, respectively.
Despite the price increases, Ewura’s report indicates that fuel importation costs have generally decreased, with petrol and kerosene import costs dropping by 0.51 percent and 1.91 percent, respectively.
However, diesel import costs through Dar es Salaam Port jumped by 24.42 percent, but import costs through Tanga Port have decreased by 2.6 percent for both petrol and diesel. There have been no changes in import costs at Mtwara Port.
Ewura says in its statement that retailers are free to sell fuel at competitive prices as long as they do not exceed the indicative prices for March.
Additionally, all fuel stations are required to display prices on signboards that are clearly visible and also indicate any discounts or promotional offers available.
“Where possible, customers are advised to purchase fuel from stations offering lower prices to encourage market competition. It is illegal to sell fuel without clearly displaying prices,” Ewura says in its statement and warns that failure to comply with these regulations will result in penalties.
Furthermore, fuel sellers are required to issue sales receipts from electronic fiscal pump printers (EFPP) and buyers must ensure they are given the same.
“These receipts will serve as proof for buyers in case of complaints about overpricing beyond the maximum limit or purchasing substandard fuel. They will also facilitate government tax collection from petroleum product sales.”
Higher fuel costs are expected to have a ripple effect on the cost of living, transport and overall economic activities in the country.
