EWURA Reports Significant Fuel Price Hikes in Dar es Salaam.

Fuel Prices Surge in Dar es Salaam as Import Costs Increase: EWURA's Alert
March 5, 2025

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — The cost of fueling vehicles continues to rise as both petroleum and diesel prices see significant hikes, while the cost of importing diesel via Dar es Salaam port has surged by over 20%, according to the latest report from the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA).

Since the beginning of the year, retail prices for petrol, diesel, and kerosene have steadily increased, placing additional financial strain on motorists. These rising costs are attributed to a variety of factors, primarily the fluctuations in fuel import costs.

On March 5, 2025, EWURA's announcement highlighted a 6.27% increase in petrol prices, a 6.73% rise in diesel prices, and a 12.02% hike in kerosene prices in Dar es Salaam.

As a result of these changes, petrol in Dar es Salaam will now cost Sh2,996 per litre, up from Sh2,820, while diesel prices have risen to Sh2,885 from Sh2,703. Kerosene prices have increased to Sh3,036 per litre from Sh2,710, representing a significant shift.

In Tanga, retail prices have also climbed with petrol now costing Sh3,042 per litre, diesel at Sh2,932, and kerosene at Sh3,082. These changes are up from February 2025, where prices for a litre of petrol were Sh2,825, diesel Sh2,746, and kerosene Sh2,756.

For those purchasing fuel through the Mtwara port and surrounding areas, petrol is now priced at Sh3,069 per litre, diesel at Sh2,958, and kerosene at Sh3,108, marking another increase compared to the prices from February 2025 (Sh2,892 for petrol, Sh2,775 for diesel, and Sh2,782 for kerosene).

While the retail price hikes have been significant, the cost of importing fuel has seen a mixed trend. Import costs for petrol have dropped by an average of 0.51%, and kerosene costs decreased by 1.91%. However, diesel import costs have surged by 24.42% through the Dar es Salaam port, while Tanga has seen a decrease in import costs for both petrol and diesel by 2.60%. The Mtwara port has reported no changes in import costs.

EWURA also issued a directive for petroleum companies to sell products at competitive prices within the legally mandated price ceiling. All fuel stations must clearly display the current prices, as well as any discounts or promotional offers, on visible signboards to maintain transparency for consumers. It is illegal to sell fuel without ensuring that visible price signage is properly displayed.

Consumers are advised to choose fuel stations that offer the best prices to foster competition. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in penalties for non-compliant stations. Moreover, all fuel transactions must be accompanied by receipts from Electronic Fiscal Pump Printers (EFPP), which must include the station’s name, date of purchase, type of fuel, and price per litre.

These receipts will serve as a tool to address complaints about overpricing or substandard fuel quality, and will also streamline the collection of government taxes from fuel sales.