Unguja. In January 2025, Zanzibar achieved a historic milestone by importing a staggering 28 million litres of fuel, the highest volume ever recorded for the island.
This impressive increase in fuel imports was significantly driven by the vibrant celebrations marking the 61st anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution.
The Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA) revealed that it surpassed its revenue collection goal of Sh80.984 billion, bringing in Sh81.512 billion, aided largely by the heightened demand for fuel during the anniversary festivities.
These celebrations, which featured a grand parade in Gombani Pemba on January 12, spanned nearly a month and saw the launch of over 194 development projects.
The events attracted national leaders, including ministers from both the mainland and Zanzibar, highlighting the significance of the occasion, according to insights from oil and gas officials.
Previously, Zanzibar’s fuel imports peaked at 25 million litres in November 2024, demonstrating a notable rise this January.
“This is an unusually high amount of fuel for Zanzibar,” remarked an official. The average monthly fuel consumption on the island stands at approximately 20.5 million litres—comprising nine million litres of petrol, seven million litres of diesel, and roughly four million litres of aviation fuel, with kerosene consumption at about 50,000 litres monthly.
However, alongside this surge in imports, fuel prices saw an increase in February 2025 due to various factors.
Officials confirmed that fuel prices experienced a slight uptick resulting from rising global prices. The cost of petrol rose to Sh2,819 per litre from Sh2,775 in January, reflecting a 1.58 percent increase, while diesel prices reached Sh2,945 per litre, up from Sh2,892, marking a 1.83 percent rise.
Aviation fuel now costs Sh2,423 per litre, up from Sh2,414, a 0.39 percent increase, while kerosene prices remained steady at Sh3,200 per litre.
Experts attributed these price adjustments to global market fluctuations, increased import costs, and varying exchange rates, particularly the US Dollar against the Tanzanian shilling.
In conclusion, fuel prices in Zanzibar are influenced by international pricing trends, transportation costs, government taxes, and the profit margins for local wholesalers and retailers, underscoring the complexity of the fuel supply chain.
