Rwanda has started using Kenya’s Port of Mombasa for petroleum imports after a 40,000‑tonne shipment arrived on September 29, activating a new supply route through the Northern Corridor.

The cargo, carried by the vessel MT Sea Wolf, was off‑loaded at Kipevu Oil Terminal 2 and contained gasoline and gasoil destined for Rwanda.

Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Rwanda’s Minister of State for Infrastructure Armand Zingiro jointly received the shipment at a ceremony on September 29.

Wandayi said the arrangement will boost Kenya’s role as a regional logistics and energy hub and is expected to raise the volume of petroleum moving through the corridor to Rwanda by more than tenfold, roughly 500,000 cubic metres annually.

The deal, signed on June 29, 2026, covers importation, transport and storage of Rwanda’s petroleum via Kenya’s port, pipeline network and storage facilities before onward movement through the Northern Corridor.

Mombasa’s port is preparing for three monthly tankers bound for Rwanda, increasing activity for the port, the Kenya Pipeline Company and storage terminals.

Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto confirmed that the new Kipevu Oil Terminal can accommodate large tankers and discharge petroleum efficiently to meet the added cargo volumes.

Rwanda views the extended storage options offered by Kenya as a way to increase flexibility while it expands its own fuel storage capacity.