Dar es Salaam. Several fuel stations in Dar es Salaam have temporarily halted sales in what appears to be a speculative move ahead of an anticipated price increase.
The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) is expected to announce new fuel prices later today, Tuesday, with the changes taking effect from Wednesday, March 5.
A survey conducted by The Citizen across various filling stations revealed that a number of outlets have refrained from selling fuel for the past three to four days.
Petroleum marketers speculate that Ewura’s latest pricing update will result in higher pump prices, prompting some retailers to hoard fuel to maximise profits once the price adjustment takes effect.
“We have been informed that prices will rise starting tomorrow, so we cannot sell today,” said a fuel attendant at a filling station near Mlimani City along Sam Nujoma Road.
A survey by The Citizen on fuel stations along Sam Nujoma and Mandela roads revealed that a number of fuel stations have not been selling the product for the past few days.
The survey, conducted from Tabata Baracuda to Mwenge, revealed that six out of 11 did not have fuel. A majority of the attendants in stations lacking fuel were spotted either seating on benches or standing close to the pumping stations while talking.
Prices of petroleum products had been on a downward trend for the latter half of 2024. However, they began to rise last month, February 2025. According to official data, retail fuel prices in Dar es Salaam increased by 0.957 per cent for petrol, 2.18 per cent for diesel, and 1.25 per cent for kerosene in February.
As a result, pump prices in Dar es Salaam stood at Sh2,820 per litre for petrol, Sh2,703 for diesel, and Sh2,710 for kerosene in February, marking a rise from January’s rates of Sh2,793, Sh2,644, and Sh2,676, respectively.
In Tanga, petrol prices increased from Sh2,800 per litre in January to Sh2,825 in February, while diesel rose from Sh2,656 to Sh2,746, and kerosene from Sh2,722 to Sh2,756. These adjustments represented an increase of 0.88 per cent for petrol, 3.27 per cent for diesel, and 1.23 per cent for kerosene.
Fuel imported through Mtwara Port also saw price hikes, with petrol costing Sh2,892 per litre in February, up from Sh2,866 in January. Diesel rose from Sh2,716 to Sh2,775, while kerosene prices climbed from Sh2,748 to Sh2,782.
Marketers anticipate that the trend of rising prices will persist, leading to continued hoarding practices.
Under the Petroleum Act, Chapter 392, Ewura is mandated to regulate the fuel business to ensure a steady and reliable supply across the country. The authority has yet to comment on the current shortage or potential measures to curb fuel hoarding.
Contacted, Ewura's communications manager, Titus Kaguo said that they were following up the issue to determine the problem.
