Dodoma. Tanzania’s motorists and consumers will experience a mixed movement in fuel prices this January, following the release of new cap prices by the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura), effective from Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 12:01 am.
Under the revised pricing structure, petrol and kerosene prices have increased, while diesel prices have declined across major supply points.
In Dar es Salaam, the pump price of petrol has risen to Sh2,778 per litre from Sh2,749 in December 2025, while kerosene has increased to Sh2,763 per litre from Sh2,653.
Diesel, however, has fallen to Sh2,726 per litre from Sh2,779, offering some relief to transporters and commercial users.
Similar trends are reflected at other ports of entry.
In Tanga, petrol is now retailing at Sh2,839 per litre, up from Sh2,806 in December, while kerosene has increased to Sh2,824 from Sh2,715.
Diesel prices at the port have dropped to Sh2,787 per litre from Sh2,838.
In Mtwara, petrol prices have increased to Sh2,870 per litre from Sh2,843, kerosene has risen to Sh2,856 from Sh2,747, while diesel has decreased to Sh2,818 from Sh2,870.
Ewura attributed the mixed price movements to developments in the international petroleum market and domestic cost components.
According to the regulator, Free On Board (FOB) reference prices in the Arab Gulf market declined during the January 2026 pricing cycle by 4.26 percent for petrol, 12.83 percent for diesel and 10.44 percent for kerosene.
Despite these declines, increases in import premiums at some ports and a rise in the applicable exchange rate moderated the impact of lower global prices.
The authority noted that the exchange rate used in computing January prices increased by 1.31 percent, while premiums for fuel received through Dar es Salaam port declined slightly.
In contrast, premiums rose at the Tanga and Mtwara ports, contributing to higher pump prices for petrol and kerosene in those areas.
Ewura directed all retailers and wholesalers to adhere strictly to the published cap prices, warning that legal action will be taken against operators who sell petroleum products above the approved limits.
Petrol stations are required to display prices clearly on visible boards and issue receipts printed from Electronic Fiscal Pump Printers for every sale.
Consumers have been advised to monitor displayed pump prices, retain fiscal receipts and verify official cap prices through the 15200# mobile service.
Ewura said the monthly price review remains a key mechanism for promoting transparency, competition and consumer protection within Tanzania’s liberalised downstream petroleum market
