Kenya’s petroleum product imports for both domestic use and neighboring markets have consistently increased over the last four years, indicating escalating energy requirements throughout East Africa.
Information from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) reveals that yearly imports of diesel, gasoline and dual-purpose kerosene climbed from 8.78 billion liters in 2022 to 9.09 billion liters in 2023.
The volume further increased to 9.53 billion liters in 2024 before surpassing the 10-billion-liter threshold in 2025, reaching 10.41 billion liters.
This upward trajectory demonstrates Kenya’s pivotal function as a regional energy center, providing fuel not only for its own consumption but also for adjacent nations that depend on the Port of Mombasa and Kenya’s transportation systems for petroleum imports.
Accelerating economic activities, higher vehicle adoption and expanding industrial processes continue to fuel demand. Transit quantities have likewise expanded as regional economies rebound and commercial relations grow.
The persistent import growth highlights the significance of effective fuel distribution networks, storage installations and consistent energy policies in bolstering both Kenya’s economic development and the broader East African region.