The RURA pump price cap in force since 6 June 2026 is 2,938 RWF per litre for petrol and 2,927 RWF for diesel (checked 19 October 2026). A 50 litre tank of petrol costs about 146,900 RWF.
Planning a drive and wondering about the fuel price in Rwanda? Pump prices are regulated nationally, which makes fuel costs easy to predict once you know the distance and your vehicle. The chart below shows every RURA price change since 2023, and the calculator estimates the fuel cost of popular trips from Kigali, then ask us for a car hire quote that fits the route.
Fuel price chart: Rwanda since 2023
Petrol is capped at 2,938 RWF and diesel at 2,927 RWF per litre, the RURA cap since 6 June 2026. Pick a period, switch between RWF and USD, and use Share or Embed to send the chart on or add it to your own website.
Source: RURA announcements as reported by the press. Caps are maximum pump prices in Kigali.Show every price change since 2023
From
Petrol (RWF/L)
Diesel (RWF/L)
What changed
6 June 2026
2,938
2,927
Petrol unchanged, diesel up 722
17 April 2026
2,938
2,205
Petrol up 635, diesel unchanged
4 April 2026
2,303
2,205
Petrol up 314, diesel up 257
5 March 2026
1,989
1,948
Petrol unchanged, diesel up 48
8 November 2025
1,989
1,900
Petrol up 127, diesel up 92
6 September 2025
1,862
1,808
Petrol up 59, diesel up 51
2 July 2025
1,803
1,757
Petrol up 170, diesel up 110
9 February 2025
1,633
1,647
Petrol up 59, diesel up 71
8 October 2024
1,574
1,576
Petrol down 55, diesel down 76
7 August 2024
1,629
1,652
Petrol down 34, diesel unchanged
5 June 2024
1,663
1,652
Petrol down 101, diesel down 32
5 April 2024
1,764
1,684
Petrol up 127, diesel up 52
12 February 2024
1,637
1,632
Petrol down 2, diesel down 3
6 December 2023
1,639
1,635
Petrol down 183, diesel down 27
4 October 2023
1,822
1,662
Petrol up 183, diesel up 170
3 August 2023
1,639
1,492
Petrol up 122, diesel unchanged
2 June 2023
1,517
1,492
Petrol down 11, diesel down 26
3 April 2023
1,528
1,518
First cap in this table
RURA said recent rises reflected international petroleum markets, with government interventions moderating the increase.
Rwanda does not leave pump prices entirely to the market. The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) publishes maximum pump prices for petrol (gasoline) and diesel, and fuel stations in Kigali may not sell above that cap. Prices are reviewed periodically to reflect world oil prices, freight costs to a landlocked country, the exchange rate and taxes.
The cap in force since 6 June 2026 is 2,938 RWF per litre for petrol and 2,927 RWF per litre for diesel (we last checked on 19 October 2026). That is the figure the calculator uses by default. If RURA has announced a new price since then, type the new price into the calculator and every result updates.
Fuel
RURA cap since 6 June 2026
Typical use
Petrol (gasoline)
2,938 RWF per litre
Most saloons, RAV4s and small SUVs
Diesel
2,927 RWF per litre
Land Cruisers, Prados, minibuses, pick-ups
Cost of a full tank
Tank
Fuel
Cost of a full tank
40 litres (small saloon)
Petrol
about 117,500 RWF
50 litres (Corolla, Axio)
Petrol
about 146,900 RWF
60 litres (RAV4, small SUV)
Petrol
about 176,300 RWF
90 litres (Land Cruiser, Prado)
Diesel
about 263,400 RWF
Tank sizes vary by model and year, so check your handbook. A tank that is not quite empty will cost less to fill.
Fuel prices in Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania all set maximum pump prices; Uganda leaves prices to the market. Converted to Rwandan francs, a litre of petrol in Kigali costs about 361 RWF more than in Nairobi and about 673 RWF more than in Dar es Salaam. Exchange rates move, so the gap changes even when pump prices do not.
Converted at National Bank of Rwanda average rates of 16 October 2026.
Kenya's EPRA reviews prices on the 15th of each month and Tanzania's EWURA on the first Wednesday. The Uganda figure is a government market survey, not a cap, and prices vary from station to station.
Typical distances from Kigali
These approximate one-way distances are a good starting point for budgeting a trip:
Kigali to Akagera National Park gate: about 110 km, around 2.5 hours.
Kigali to Musanze and Volcanoes National Park: about 105 km, 2.5 to 3 hours, then about 15 km to Kinigi.
Kigali to Rubavu (Lake Kivu): about 145 km.
Kigali to Karongi: about 133 to 145 km.
Kigali to Huye: about 122 to 133 km.
Kigali to the Gatuna border with Uganda: about 80 km.
City centre to Kigali International Airport: about 5 to 8.6 km.
Rwanda is called the land of a thousand hills for good reason. Winding roads and long climbs mean you will often use more fuel than the distance alone suggests, so the calculator figures are best treated as a minimum.
Worked examples: fuel for popular round trips
Using the RURA caps in force since 6 June 2026 and typical consumption figures, these are the approximate fuel costs for common round trips from Kigali. Driving inside a park, detours and heavy traffic add to these figures.
Trip
Distance
Vehicle
Fuel
Fuel cost
Kigali to Akagera gate and back
about 220 km
SUV (RAV4)
about 20 L
about 58,200 RWF
Kigali to Musanze and back
about 210 km
Saloon
about 15 L
about 43,200 RWF
Kigali to Rubavu and back
about 290 km
Land Cruiser (diesel)
about 35 L
about 101,900 RWF
Kigali to Huye and back
about 244 km
Minibus (diesel)
about 27 L
about 78,600 RWF
For a family heading to Akagera for a day of game drives, fuel for the road is only part of the story: game drives inside the park can add many kilometres on slow, rough tracks. Budget a safety margin of 20 to 30 percent on top of the road distance, and start with a full tank.
Electric and hybrid cars
Fuel prices are one reason more drivers in Kigali are looking at hybrids and electric cars. Rwanda currently exempts electric vehicles from import duty and VAT until 30 June 2028, and hybrids pay excise based on their age rather than engine size. If you are thinking of buying rather than renting, our car prices in Rwanda guide explains the taxes, and its import tax estimator shows the landed cost of a car you have in mind.
Before you set off
Know the road rules. Rwanda enforces speed limits with hundreds of speed cameras, and 40 to 50 km/h zones are common in towns. Drive within the posted limits.
Check the calendar. On the last Saturday of each month (Umuganda), traffic is restricted in the morning, so plan long drives for the afternoon or another day.
Carry the documents. For self-drive you need your licence (plus an International Driving Permit for visitors) and the rental agreement.
How to cut your fuel bill
Choose the right vehicle. A saloon or RAV4 is enough for paved roads between towns. Save the thirstier 4x4 for game drives and rough tracks, see 4x4 car rental in Rwanda.
Fill up in towns. Stations become sparse near the parks.
Travel light. Extra weight costs fuel on every hill.
Keep tyres at the right pressure and plan routes to avoid backtracking.
Combine trips. Musanze and Rubavu are only about 55 km apart, so a loop can save fuel compared with two returns from Kigali.
Fuel and car hire
Most car hire in Kigali is quoted without fuel. You collect the car with a certain fuel level and return it at the same level. With a driver, ask whether fuel is included or charged separately, and whether the driver's meals and accommodation are part of the price on multi-day trips. Read more on car hire in Kigali and car hire with a driver.
Plan your trip with us
Tell us your route, dates and number of passengers with the form below. We will recommend a suitable vehicle, explain the fuel policy and send you a clear quote. Flying in? See car hire at Kigali Airport.
Frequently asked questions
Who sets the fuel price in Rwanda?
Pump prices in Rwanda are regulated. The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) announces the maximum pump prices for petrol and diesel in Kigali, and stations may not charge more than the published cap. Prices are usually reviewed every two months, so always check the latest announcement.
What is the price of petrol in Rwanda?
The RURA cap in force since 6 June 2026 is 2,938 RWF per litre for petrol and 2,927 RWF per litre for diesel (checked 19 October 2026). Prices change with world oil prices, the exchange rate and government decisions, so the calculator lets you enter the current price.
How much does a full tank of petrol cost in Rwanda?
At 2,938 RWF per litre, a 40 litre tank of a small saloon costs about 117,500 RWF, a 50 litre tank about 146,900 RWF and a 60 litre RAV4-sized tank about 176,300 RWF. A 90 litre diesel Land Cruiser tank costs about 263,400 RWF at 2,927 RWF per litre.
How much fuel does a car use on Rwandan roads?
As a rough guide, a small saloon uses around 7 litres per 100 km, an SUV such as a RAV4 around 9, a minibus around 11 and a 4x4 Land Cruiser around 12. Steep hills, a full load, air conditioning and rough park tracks all push consumption up.
How much fuel do I need for a trip to Akagera?
The Akagera National Park gate is about 110 km from Kigali, so a return trip is about 220 km before any game drives. In an SUV using about 9 litres per 100 km that is about 20 litres, plus extra for driving inside the park.
Is fuel included in car hire in Kigali?
Usually not. Most self-drive and many chauffeured rentals in Kigali are priced without fuel, and you return the car with the same fuel level. Ask for the fuel policy in your quote so you can budget with this calculator.
Are fuel stations easy to find outside Kigali?
Main towns such as Musanze, Rubavu, Huye, Rwamagana and Kayonza have fuel stations, but they are sparse on park roads and some rural routes. Fill up before leaving the main road, especially before visiting Akagera or Nyungwe.
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