Rwanda and Oman weighed plans to invest in petroleum storage facilities at key ports as part of efforts to secure Rwanda’s fuel imports and reduce the risk of supply disruptions.
Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, disclosed that the two countries were considering storage arrangements at ports in Oman and East Africa.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of an energy security forum organised by the International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) in Kigali on Wednesday, October 28.
Al Maawali explained that the proposed facilities would support the movement of petroleum products between the exporting and receiving ports, helping Rwanda maintain reliable supplies during periods of uncertainty in international energy markets.
The discussions followed a long-term fuel supply agreement between Rwanda and an Omani state-owned trading company, under which petroleum deliveries have already begun.
The minister said securing fuel through long-term contracts was important, but adequate storage and transport infrastructure was equally necessary to ensure continuous supplies.
Rwanda has received three bulk petroleum shipments totalling approximately 120,000 tonnes under its arrangements with Oman.
The first two consignments, each weighing about 40,000 tonnes, arrived through Tanzania’s Port of Tanga in July and August.
A third shipment of 40,000 tonnes entered through Kenya’s Port of Mombasa in September.
Trade and Industry Minister Antoine-Marie Kajangwe said Rwanda was strengthening cooperation with Oman, Kenya and Tanzania to diversify its petroleum sources and secure reliable import routes.
Speaking at the ISCA forum, Kajangwe said the government was also working to consolidate domestic fuel demand to negotiate more affordable supplies.
He identified investment in storage and transport infrastructure, including pipelines, roads and railways, among the measures being pursued to protect Rwanda against disruptions in international fuel markets.
The discussions followed agreements signed during President Paul Kagame’s visit to Oman in September, when the two countries expanded cooperation in investment, logistics and supply chain services.
Al Maawali said their partnership could also extend to renewable energy and petroleum-derived products used in agriculture and mining.
Rwanda has already taken steps to improve its petroleum storage and transport arrangements through cooperation with regional partners.
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, the September shipment through Mombasa marked the opening of an additional fuel import route under agreements between Rwanda and Kenya.
The arrangements allow the Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC) to use Kenya’s port, pipeline and storage facilities, including the Kipevu terminal, as Rwanda expands its domestic petroleum storage capacity.
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