Dar es Salaam. The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) has released the cap prices for petroleum products applicable in Tanzania Mainland for February 2026, with effect from Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 12:01 am, setting out a mixed picture for consumers across the country.
According to a public notice issued by the ewura director general, Dr James Mwainyekule, the new cap prices show a continued upward trend for petrol, while diesel and kerosene have recorded modest relief in most supply corridors.
The prices apply to fuel consignments received through the ports of Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara, and to all towns and regions supplied from these entry points.
Under the February pricing regime, petrol prices stand at Sh2,788 per litre in Dar es Salaam, Sh2,849 in Tanga and Sh2,881 in Mtwara.
Diesel is capped at Sh2,701 per litre in Dar es Salaam, Sh2,762 in Tanga and Sh2,794 in Mtwara.
Kerosene prices are set at Sh2,746 per litre in Dar es Salaam, Sh2,807 in Tanga and Sh2,838 in Mtwara .
In month-on-month terms, EWURA noted that diesel prices have declined by Sh25 per litre for fuel received through the ports of Dar es Salaam and Tanga, and by Sh24 per litre for diesel received through Mtwara.
Kerosene prices have also eased, falling by Sh3 per litre in Dar es Salaam, Sh17 in Tanga and Sh18 in Mtwara.
Petrol, however, has continued to edge upwards despite a decline in global reference prices.
An analysis of retail pump prices across the country shows significant regional variations, largely reflecting distance from supply ports and transport costs.
The lowest petrol price in February 2026 is recorded in Dar es Salaam at Sh2,788 per litre.
This is closely followed by nearby coastal and peri-urban areas such as Mvomero (Sanga Sanga) and Morogoro, where petrol is capped at around Sh2,828 per litre.
By contrast, the highest petrol prices are found in the Kagera region and other remote inland areas.
Kyerwa (Ruberwa) registers the highest petrol cap price at Sh3,061 per litre, followed by Karagwe (Kayanga) at Sh3,055 and Misenyi at Sh3,047.
In the Lake Zone, Ukerewe also records a high petrol price of Sh3,033 per litre.
For diesel, the lowest price is likewise in Dar es Salaam at Sh2,701 per litre.
Areas supplied directly from the coast, including Handeni and Mvomero, also enjoy relatively lower diesel prices, ranging between Sh2,741 and Sh2,752 per litre.
The highest diesel prices are again observed in border and hard-to-reach districts.
Kyerwa tops the list with diesel capped at Sh2,974 per litre, followed by Karagwe at Sh2,968 and Misenyi at Sh2,960.
Kerosene shows a similar pattern. Dar es Salaam records the lowest kerosene price at Sh2,746 per litre.
Coastal and central regions such as Morogoro and Kilosa remain below Sh2,800 per litre.
The highest kerosene prices are found in Kagera, where Kyerwa records Sh3,018 per litre, Karagwe Sh3,013 and Misenyi Sh3,005.
EWURA has attributed the February price movements to a combination of global market trends and local cost factors.
The authority noted that Free on Board (FOB) reference prices in the Arab Gulf market declined by 6.41 percent for petrol, 0.50 percent for diesel and 1.70 percent for kerosene during the review period.
However, these declines were partly offset by changes in premiums and the exchange rate.
Premiums for products received through the Port of Dar es Salaam increased by an average of 1.88 percent for petrol and 1.65 percent for kerosene, while diesel premiums declined by an average of 5.10 percent.
At the Port of Tanga, premiums for both petrol and diesel fell by an average of 1.62 percent.
In Mtwara, petrol premiums dropped sharply by an average of 9.24 percent, while diesel premiums remained unchanged.
The applicable exchange rate for February 2026 prices increased by 1.86 percent.
EWURA explained that both FOB prices and premiums are settled in foreign currencies, particularly the United States dollar, making pump prices sensitive to exchange rate movements.
Alongside retail prices, EWURA also published wholesale cap prices.
In Dar es Salaam, wholesale petrol is capped at Sh2,648.68 per litre, diesel at Sh2,561.54 and kerosene at Sh2,606.56.
In Tanga, wholesale petrol stands at Sh2,648.67 per litre and diesel at Sh2,569.18, while in Mtwara wholesale petrol is capped at Sh2,654.67 and diesel at Sh2,579.52 per litre.
EWURA has reiterated that wholesalers and retailers are required by law to sell petroleum products at or below the prescribed cap prices.
Dr Mwainyekule warned that legal action would be taken against any operator found to be non-compliant.
“All petrol stations must publish petroleum product prices on clearly visible boards showing prices charged, discounts offered and any trade incentives or promotions on offer,” the notice stated.
Consumers have also been encouraged to purchase fuel from stations offering the most competitive prices to promote healthy competition in the sector.
In addition, retailers are required to issue receipts generated from Electronic Fiscal Pump Printers (EFPP) for all fuel sales.
Consumers have been urged to demand and retain these receipts, which serve as proof in the event of complaints related to overpricing or fuel quality, and also support proper tax collection by the government.
EWURA further reminded the public that cap prices can be accessed free of charge through mobile phones by dialling *152*00#, a service available across all mobile networks.
The February 2026 cap prices underline the persistent pressure faced by petrol consumers, even as diesel and kerosene users experience some relief.
They also highlight the continuing impact of logistics, exchange rates and supply chain costs on fuel prices across Tanzania Mainland.
