Zanzibar imports record 28mn litres of fuel in January

Unguja. Zanzibar imported a record 28 million litres of fuel in January 2025, marking the highest level ever recorded for the island.

This surge in imports was partly fuelled by the 61st anniversary celebrations of the Zanzibar Revolution.

The Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA) announced on Saturday, February 8, 2025, that it surpassed its Sh80.984 billion monthly revenue collection target after raising Sh81.512 billion.

A significant factor behind this achievement was the increased demand for fuel during the celebrations.

The festivities, which culminated with January 12’s grand parade in Gombani Pemba, spanned nearly a month and included the launch of more than 194 development projects.

The event saw the participation of national leaders, including ministers from both the mainland and Zanzibar, according to Zanzibar Utilities Regulatory Authority (ZURA), oil and gas senior officer, Mr Ali Abdalla Ali.

The last time Zanzibar saw such high import levels was in November 2024 when it imported 25 million litres.

“This is an unusually high amount of fuel for Zanziba,” said Mr Ali.

He noted that the typical monthly consumption is around 20.5 million litres, comprising nine million litres of petrol, seven million litres of diesel, and roughly four million litres of aviation fuel, depending on the season.

Mr Ali said kerosene consumption is much lower, averaging about 50,000 litres a month.

Alongside the rise in fuel imports, fuel prices increased in February 2025 due to a variety of factors.

 ZURA's acting public relations manager, Ms Shara Chande Omar, announced that fuel prices have gone up slightly owing to rising global prices.

The price of petrol will now be Sh2,819 per litre, up from Sh2,775 in January about 1.58 percent increase, while a litre of diesel will cost Sh2,945, up from Sh2,892 per litre traded last month, equals 1.83 percent rise.

“Aviation fuel will cost Sh2,423 per litre, up from Sh2,414 in January, equivalent to 0.39 percent increase. The price of kerosene will remain unchanged at Sh3,200 per litre,” she said.

Ms Omar attributed the price hikes to global fuel price increases, higher importation costs, and fluctuations in the exchange rate especially the US Dollar against the Tanzanian shilling.

Fuel prices are typically influenced by global price trends, importation costs, transportation costs, government taxes, and the profit margins for wholesalers and retailers.