Motorists in Tanzania are being forced to dig deeper into their pockets as fuel prices continue to rise, putting additional strain on household and business budgets.
Since the beginning of this year, the cost of petrol, diesel, and kerosene has steadily increased, with no signs of abating, and this price hike is expected to have a broad impact on the economy.
According to a report released by the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) on March 5, 2025, the retail price of petrol in Dar es Salaam has surged by 6.27%, diesel by 6.73%, and kerosene by 12.02%.
This increase is largely attributed to the rising cost of fuel imports.
The report, signed by EWURA's Director General, Dr. James Andilile, reveals that petrol prices in Dar es Salaam have risen to Sh2,996 per litre, up from Sh2,820 in February 2025.
Diesel now costs Sh2,885, an increase from Sh2,703, while the price of kerosene has jumped to Sh3,036 per litre, up from Sh2,710.
In Tanga, the price of petrol has risen to Sh3,042 per litre, diesel to Sh2,932, and kerosene to Sh3,082.
This is a significant increase from February, when the prices stood at Sh2,825 for petrol, Sh2,746 for diesel, and Sh2,756 for kerosene.
Similarly, in areas served by the Mtwara port, petrol is now priced at Sh3,069 per litre, diesel at Sh2,958, and kerosene at Sh3,108, compared to February's prices of Sh2,892, Sh2,775, and Sh2,782, respectively.
While the retail fuel prices are climbing, the import costs for fuel have generally decreased. EWURA reports that the import price for petrol dropped by 0.51%, and kerosene by 1.91%.
However, diesel import costs have surged by 24.42% at the Dar es Salaam port, although Tanga port saw a slight decrease of 2.60% for both petrol and diesel. Import costs at Mtwara port remained unchanged.
EWURA's announcement also emphasized the importance of competition in the fuel market. Fuel companies are urged to sell at competitive prices, ensuring they do not exceed the maximum retail prices set by the regulatory authority.
In addition, fuel stations are required to display their prices, discounts, and promotions on visible signs.
"Consumers are advised to purchase fuel from stations offering the best prices to promote competition. It is illegal to sell fuel without properly displaying the prices in a manner visible to customers," the statement read.
Non-compliance with these regulations will lead to penalties, as specified by the 2022 EWURA Fuel Price Regulations.
Furthermore, fuel stations are required to issue receipts from Electronic Fiscal Pump Printers (EFPP), which should show the station’s name, date of purchase, fuel type, and price per litre.
These receipts help resolve complaints regarding overpricing or substandard fuel and assist in the collection of government taxes from fuel sales.
With rising fuel prices, consumers are being forced to adjust their budgets, and fuel stations must ensure compliance with regulatory standards to avoid penalties. This situation reflects the broader economic challenges faced by Tanzanians, especially those who depend on fuel for transportation and business operations.