Nigeria: NNPC Signs MoU With Two Chinese Firms For Restart Of Warri And Port Harcourt Refineries
Nigeria’s national oil company, NNPC Ltd, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies to collaborate on a potential Technical Equity Partnership aimed at the completion and operation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, according to a statement from NNPC Ltd.
The two firms are Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd.
The MoU was signed in Jiaxing City, China, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, by the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari; the Chairman of Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong; and the Chairman of Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, Bill Bi.
The potential collaboration will focus on completing outstanding work at the two refineries and ensuring their operation and maintenance to achieve best-in-class, sustainable performance. Planned expansions and upgrades will elevate both refineries to cleaner, more profitable product standards.
Additionally, the collaboration aims to expand the refineries’ petrochemical capacities and capitalize on gas and downstream opportunities through the development of co-located, gas-based industrial hubs.
Speaking shortly after the signing, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, GCEO of NNPC Ltd, described the MoU as a significant milestone, following over six months of intensive engagement between the technical and management teams of NNPC and the two Chinese partners.
“All parties recognize mutually beneficial opportunities for the development and long-term sustainable profitability of NNPC’s refining assets in Nigeria, as well as the collective efforts required for success,” Ojulari said.
The GCEO further emphasized that the MoU is a significant step in identifying potential technical equity partners to restart and expand NNPC’s refineries, as well as exploring opportunities in co-located petrochemicals and gas-based industries.
The MoU reflects the parties’ shared intent to proceed with discussions in good faith, with any definitive agreements to follow in due course and subject to customary approvals.
Equinor Signs $1.8 Billion In Drilling Deals To Keep Oil And Gas Output High
Equinor has extended $1.8 billion worth of drilling and well services supplier contracts as the Norwegian energy major looks to keep high oil and gas production offshore Norway and deliver stable energy volumes to Europe.
Equinor is extending key supplier agreements worth a total of $1.8 billion (17 billion Norwegian crowns), by exercising one-year options under three contracts for integrated drilling and well services, as well as two-year options under 18 corporate framework agreements for specialist services linked to these deliveries, the company said on Monday.
The local units of top oilfield services providers Baker Hughes, Halliburton, and SLB have been awarded the contracts for integrated drilling and well services.
These firms and 15 other suppliers have also been awarded corporate framework agreements for specialist services.
“New wells are expected to account for around 70 percent of Equinor’s production in 2035,” said Rune Nedregaard, Equinor’s senior vice president for Wells.
“This involves both more wells and more well interventions, which must be delivered faster and significantly more cost-efficiently than today.”
Equinor plans to drill 20 to 30 exploration wells every year, the company said early this year when it was awarded 35 new production licenses on the Norwegian continental shelf in the tender for mature exploration areas.
A total of 80% of the exploration will be near existing infrastructure, while 20% will explore new concepts and lesser-known areas, the Norwegian energy major said.
“There is still a lot of energy left on the NCS, but we need new discoveries to curb the expected production decline,” commented Jez Averty, Equinor’s senior vice president for subsurface, the Norwegian continental shelf.
“Phasing in oil and gas from new discoveries to existing infrastructure is a core task going forward,” Averty added.
Despite the best exploration results in four years in 2025, Norway will need even more exploration and discoveries, as well as investment in new oil and gas projects, to reverse an expected decline in output from the late 2020s, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate said earlier this year.
Nigeria: Two IBEDC Workers Abducted In Ogun
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IBEDC) has confirmed that two of its staff members in the Ogun region were abducted on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, and have not yet been found.
The company confirmed the unfortunate incident in a statement issued on Monday, May 4, 2026.
The company said it is deeply concerned about the situation, adding that “our thoughts are with our colleagues and their families at this difficult time.”
According to the statement, IBEDC is working closely with relevant security agencies to ensure the safe return of the affected staff.
The company also stated, “We are in active engagement with their families, providing the necessary support.”
“Given the sensitive nature of this incident and ongoing efforts to resolve it, we are unable to provide further details at this time.
“We kindly request understanding and restraint as we prioritize the safety and well-being of those involved,” the statement concluded.
Iran Warns U.S. Army To Stay Away From Strait Of Hormuz
The Islamic Republic of Iran on Monday warned the U.S. Army against entering the Strait of Hormuz, stating that any attempt to do so would be met with a severe response.
The warning follows an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that the U.S. Navy would guide stranded ships through the restricted waterway.
“We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive U.S. Army, will be attacked if they attempt to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz,” said Iran’s main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, in a statement.
The statement added: “We have repeatedly said that the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of vessels must be coordinated with the armed forces.”
Zambia: ERB Raises Fuel Prices Amid Global Oil Price Surge
Zambians are paying more for fuel after the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) reviewed prices upwards for the month of May.
Following the review, the price of diesel increased to K33.99 per litre from K29.78, kerosene rose to K35.05 per litre from K32.26, and Jet A-1 went up to K37.98 per litre from K34.74. Meanwhile, the pump price of petrol remains unchanged at K27.15 per litre.
In a statement issued by ERB Board Chairperson, the regulator attributed the increase to the continued rise in petroleum product prices on the international market, mainly due to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
During the period under review, the price of petrol increased by 5.77%, rising from US$114.51 per barrel in the previous pricing window to US$120.28 per barrel.
Similarly, the price of diesel increased significantly by 23.11%, from US$162.61 per barrel to US$200.19 per barrel, while the price of kerosene/Jet A-1 rose by 17.75%, increasing from US$169.92 per barrel to US$200.08 per barrel.
In the same period, the Zambian kwacha strengthened slightly against the United States dollar, appreciating from K19.44/US$ to K19.16/US$, representing a 1.44% gain.
“This improvement in the exchange rate moderately offset the impact of international oil prices, which would have otherwise resulted in higher domestic fuel prices,” the statement said.
Ghana: Robbers Attack Fuel Station In Sampa, Kill Two And Injure Others
Armed robbers have attacked a fuel station at Sampa, near Jato Zongo in the Atebubu District, killing two people and making away with an unspecified amount of money.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, May 2, 2026, also left others injured.
The Ghana Police Service confirmed the unfortunate incident in a statement issued on Sunday.
The statement did not mention the name of the fuel station that came under attack.
Following the incident, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has deployed personnel from the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) Headquarters and the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit (AARU) to Bono East Region to support ongoing operations and lead a manhunt for the perpetrators behind the robbery.
The Police added: “While we continue to intensify armed patrols in the affected areas, we assure the public that the perpetrators will be arrested and made to face the full rigours of the law.”
IEA Launches Tracker To Monitor Policy Responses To Energy Market Impacts Of Middle East Conflict
The International Energy Agency has launched a dedicated policy tracker to monitor government actions taken in response to the energy market impacts of the conflict in the Middle East.
The tracker provides an up-to-date overview of measures introduced by governments to conserve energy and protect consumers from rising prices, as governments respond to supply disruptions and increased volatility, notably in markets for crude oil, oil products and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The conflict, which began on 28 February, has significantly impeded energy trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz, creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.
Global supply of LNG has also been reduced by around 20% as a result of the situation.
The IEA’s new tracker presents two main categories of action: measures aimed at conserving energy and those designed to support consumers.
The tracker will be updated regularly as new policies are announced and the situation evolves, providing timely insights into how countries are addressing the crisis.
The IEA has also published a menu of demand-side measures that governments, businesses and households can take to shelter consumers from oil price pressures and support energy security.
In line with the Agency’s core mandate to safeguard energy security, IEA Member countries unanimously agreed on 11 March to carry out the Agency’s largest-ever coordinated release of emergency oil stocks, making 400 million barrels of oil available to the market to help stabilise supply.
Oil Price Surges As US-Iran Deal Remains Elusive
Oil prices edged higher on Monday, supported by the absence of a U.S.-Iran peace deal, which kept supplies constrained and prices above $100 a barrel.
Brent crude futures rose 67 cents, or 0.6%, to $108.84 a barrel at 0400 GMT, after settling down $2.23 on Friday.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 65 cents, also 0.6%, to $102.59 a barrel, following a $3.13 loss on Friday.
“The broader market remains tightly supported by persistent supply disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, analyst at Phillip Nova.
“Unless there is a clear and sustained resolution that restores normal flows through the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices are likely to remain elevated, with risks still tilted toward further upside.”
President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. would begin efforts to assist ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, yet prices remained above $100 a barrel, with no peace deal in sight and shipping through the strategic waterway still constrained.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran continued over the weekend, with both sides assessing each other’s responses. Trump has made securing a nuclear deal with Tehran a priority, but Iran wants to defer nuclear talks until after the war and until rival blockades on Gulf shipping are lifted.
On Sunday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, known as OPEC+, announced it would raise oil output targets by 188,000 barrels per day in June for seven members, marking the third consecutive monthly increase.
The rise matches the increase agreed for May, minus the share of the United Arab Emirates, which left OPEC on May 1. However, the additional barrels are expected to remain largely theoretical as long as the ongoing conflict in Iran continues to disrupt Gulf oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
Ghana: ECG Installs High-Capacity Transformers At Ridge Bulk Supply Point In Kumasi To Tackle Outages And Voltage Fluctuations
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has begun installing two high-capacity power transformers at the Ridge Bulk Supply Point in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, as part of efforts to reinforce supply reliability across the metropolis.
The power distributor is replacing two existing 20/26MVA transformers with upgraded 30/39MVA units, significantly boosting station capacity and easing pressure on the network.
This upgrade directly addresses recent intermittent outages and voltage fluctuations in parts of Kumasi, which have been driven by rising demand rather than generation shortfalls.
“Kumasi is expanding, and electricity demand is rising with it. This upgrade ensures our infrastructure keeps pace so customers can enjoy more stable and reliable power,” said Julius Kwame Kpekpena, Acting Managing Director of ECG.
On-site, the Manager for Substation and Switchgear Maintenance at the Ashanti Sub-Transmission Division described the work as both urgent and complex: “The existing transformers are under pressure. These new units give the system breathing room and improve overall stability.”
Teams from the Accra and Ashanti Sub-Transmission Divisions are jointly coordinating the installation.
The transformers are scheduled to be installed on May 6 and 7, with energisation planned shortly thereafter.
To ensure safe operations, ECG will implement controlled outages on May 6 and 7 between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. There will be a temporary shutdown of sections of the 33kV network and managed load distribution on 11kV feeders.
ECG has assured customers that the interruptions are carefully planned and limited in duration.
“We understand the inconvenience, but these are necessary steps to deliver a more reliable system,” said Collins Manu, Communications Officer of Ashanti Sub-Transmission.
Zambia: Hichilema Unveils 136MW Solar PV, Vows To Reclaim Lost Power Export Market
Zambia’s President, Hakainde Hichilema, has said that the recent drought, which limited the country’s ability to generate power from hydroelectric plants for both domestic consumption and export to neighboring countries, has taught Zambia a painful lesson.
In a bid to address the power supply situation, the Head of State said the government is ramping up investments in energy to reclaim the export markets lost to other countries.
President Hichilema was speaking during the commissioning of the 136-megawatt Itimpi II Solar Power Plant in Kitwe on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
He emphasized that recalling power exports had been costly, allowing competitors to take over Zambia’s markets.
“Calling back exports means giving away your market, which you have already secured, and someone else would take it,” President Hichilema said.
The President explained that Zambia’s economic growth depends heavily on exports, noting that the local market of about 21 million people is not enough to sustain the country’s ambitions.
“We have limited domestic consumer demand, and for us to grow our economy to the levels we want, we have to export,” he said.
President Hichilema added that the government is now aggressively pushing to increase electricity generation through a diversified energy mix, with solar power projects like Itimpi II playing a key role.
He noted that once Zambia stabilizes its power supply, the country will not only reclaim lost markets but also expand into new ones, particularly in neighboring regions.
“Where we sit here, we should be planning for Katanga, Lualaba, and Tanganyika,” he said.
Hichilema added that achieving the country’s target of 10,000 megawatts of electricity is critical, especially as sectors such as mining, agriculture, and tourism continue to demand more power.
He revealed that the mining sector alone would require about 8,000 megawatts to meet the target of producing three million tonnes of copper.
Meanwhile, Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) board chairperson London Mwafulilwa described the commissioning of the 136-megawatt Itimpi II Solar Plant as a historic milestone, not only for the Copperbelt but for Zambia and the region.
“This project is not simply a corporate milestone; it is a national statement that Zambia can lead Africa’s clean energy transition,” Mwafulilwa said.
The board chairperson disclosed that the project had a direct impact on livelihoods, creating over 2,500 jobs during construction and more than 100 permanent positions for engineers and technicians.
CEC Chief Executive Officer Owen Silavwe noted that the 136-megawatt solar plant, built over 14 months, is currently the largest of its kind in the country and will generate about 275 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.
“At a time when it matters most, this project will help close the national power supply gap and support key sectors such as mining and manufacturing,” Silavwe said.
Hichilema added that achieving the country’s target of 10,000 megawatts of electricity is critical, especially as sectors such as mining, agriculture, and tourism continue to demand more power.
He revealed that the mining sector alone would require about 8,000 megawatts to meet the target of producing three million tonnes of copper.
Meanwhile, Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) board chairperson London Mwafulilwa described the commissioning of the 136-megawatt Itimpi II Solar Plant as a historic milestone, not only for the Copperbelt but for Zambia and the region.
“This project is not simply a corporate milestone; it is a national statement that Zambia can lead Africa’s clean energy transition,” Mwafulilwa said.
The board chairperson disclosed that the project had a direct impact on livelihoods, creating over 2,500 jobs during construction and more than 100 permanent positions for engineers and technicians.
CEC Chief Executive Officer Owen Silavwe noted that the 136-megawatt solar plant, built over 14 months, is currently the largest of its kind in the country and will generate about 275 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.
“At a time when it matters most, this project will help close the national power supply gap and support key sectors such as mining and manufacturing,” Silavwe said. Ghana: President Mahama Recommends Female NSS Personnel For Employment For Role In Restoring Akosombo Generation Station After Fire
A female Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduate, Miss Stephanie Baan, who is currently undertaking her national service at the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), has been recommended for automatic employment by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama.
This follows her role in the restoration of the Akosombo Generation Station to the national grid after a fire gutted the GRIDCo substation switchyard at Akosombo on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
She was part of a team of engineers and technicians who worked extended hours over a period of about six days to restore all six units of the Akosombo Generation Station—capable of generating 1,020MW—back onto the grid. The fire incident had knocked the entire plant off the national grid, causing severe power outages across the country.
President Mahama made the recommendation during his inspection tour of the facility on Thursday, April 30, 2026. He also commended the engineers and technical teams for their swift and coordinated response in restoring power after the incident.
According to the President, the NSS personnel demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism in the line of duty, contributing significantly to efforts to stabilise the national grid in the aftermath of the disruption.
He noted that such commitment should not go unnoticed, stressing the need to reward young professionals who go above and beyond in service to the nation.
The Energy Minister, John Jinapor, also praised the engineers and support staff for their tireless work, which led to the successful restoration of electricity within a short period.
He further disclosed that MTN Ghana has pledged a donation of one million Ghana cedis worth of airtime and data to the engineers involved, as a token of appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice.
Nigeria’s Electricity Is Cheaper Than Everywhere — And That’s The Problem (Opinion)
By:Adetayo Adegbemle
What the band structure reveals
Bands D and E — the tariff categories serving the poorest Nigerians — are priced at just ₦35–37/kWh. These rates are 84–85% below the global average. At this level, no Distribution Company (DisCo) can generate the revenue needed to maintain infrastructure, let alone upgrade it. The result is a self-fulfilling cycle: the lowest-paying customers receive the worst service, reinforcing the very poverty the low tariff was meant to address.
The argument for reform
Artificially suppressed tariffs do not protect vulnerable Nigerians — they guarantee that the grid never improves enough to reach them reliably. A cost-reflective tariff structure, paired with targeted subsidies for genuinely low-income households, would unlock private investment, drastically reduce Nigeria’s dependency on the generator economy, and begin to close the gap between what the grid charges and what it costs to actually deliver power.
The numbers make the case with brutal clarity: Nigerians are already paying for electricity — just to the wrong system
Adetayo Adegbemle is a public opinion commentator/analyst, researcher, and the convener of PowerUpNigeria, an Electric Power Consumer Right Advocacy Group, based in Lagos. (Twitter: @gbemle, @PowerUpNg)
As Nigeria struggles to put its power sector on a sound footing to drive industrial growth, the Convener of PowerUp Nigeria, a consumer rights advocacy group, believes that one of the key challenges hindering the country’s ability to address its power situation is the low cost of electricity.
This, he argues, makes it difficult for distribution companies to generate sufficient revenue to invest in their operations.
In the article below, Mr. Adetayo Adegbemle notes that Nigeria’s weighted average electricity tariff stands at just ₦124.30/kWh (equivalent to $0.09), representing about 49% of the global average and 45% below the Sub-Saharan African average.
The core paradox Nigeria’s weighted average electricity tariff sits at just ₦124.30/kWh ($0.09) — a figure that sounds like good news until you examine what it has produced. This tariff is 49% below the global average, 45% below Sub-Saharan Africa, and 26% below the African average. Yet Nigerians are not enjoying cheap electricity. They are subsidising a broken grid, and paying the full price elsewhere. The hidden tax: self-generation When the grid fails — and it does — Nigerians turn to alternatives that the tariff data exposes ruthlessly. Diesel generation costs ₦607.48/kWh ($0.44). Petrol generation costs ₦421.05/kWh ($0.30). A Nigerian running a diesel generator is paying nearly five times the weighted average grid tariff for the privilege of keeping their lights on. The pursuit of cheap electricity has created the most expensive electricity on the continent. The Band A vindication Critics of tariff reform frequently cite Band A’s ₦209.50/kWh ($0.15) as burdensome. The data flatly contradicts this. Band A is still 7% below Sub-Saharan Africa’s average and 14% below the global average. More compellingly, it is 66% cheaper than diesel and 50% cheaper than petrol. Any Nigerian currently running a generator is already paying far more than Band A — and receiving intermittent, unreliable power in return.
What the band structure reveals
Bands D and E — the tariff categories serving the poorest Nigerians — are priced at just ₦35–37/kWh. These rates are 84–85% below the global average. At this level, no Distribution Company (DisCo) can generate the revenue needed to maintain infrastructure, let alone upgrade it. The result is a self-fulfilling cycle: the lowest-paying customers receive the worst service, reinforcing the very poverty the low tariff was meant to address.
The argument for reform
Artificially suppressed tariffs do not protect vulnerable Nigerians — they guarantee that the grid never improves enough to reach them reliably. A cost-reflective tariff structure, paired with targeted subsidies for genuinely low-income households, would unlock private investment, drastically reduce Nigeria’s dependency on the generator economy, and begin to close the gap between what the grid charges and what it costs to actually deliver power.
The numbers make the case with brutal clarity: Nigerians are already paying for electricity — just to the wrong system
Adetayo Adegbemle is a public opinion commentator/analyst, researcher, and the convener of PowerUpNigeria, an Electric Power Consumer Right Advocacy Group, based in Lagos. (Twitter: @gbemle, @PowerUpNg) Ghana: Akosombo Power Station Fully Operational After GRIDCo Switchyard Fire — Energy Minister
Ghana’s largest hydroelectric power plant, the Akosombo Generating Station, operated by the Volta River Authority (VRA), has fully restored all six generation units to the national grid, Energy and Green Transition Minister Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor confirmed on Friday.
“Mission accomplished. All generation units are now back in service,” Minister Jinapor said in a Facebook post.
The Akosombo Generating Station, which produces about 1,020 MW, was disconnected from the national grid on Thursday, April 23, 2026, following a fire at the switchyard of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) substation at Akosombo.
The substation receives power from the station before transmitting it to the national grid. The incident disrupted electricity supply in many parts of the country.
Following the fire, the Energy Minister and his deputy visited the site and assured Ghanaians that engineers would work around the clock to restore the plant to full operation. He kept the public updated on the restoration exercise.
In his latest update, the Energy Minister said: “In the face of a major system disruption, and against all odds, our engineers, technicians, and emergency teams worked around the clock to restore power and stabilise the grid.
“Through their tireless work, discipline, and commitment to country, power has been restored and system stability secured,” he added.
Dr. Jinapor also expressed appreciation to the leadership and staff of GRIDCo, VRA, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and all supporting agencies whose coordination made the power restoration possible.
Drawing inspiration from the engineers’ efforts, he said, “This moment shows that even under pressure, Ghana can rely on the strength and skill of its people.”
“May God bless our engineers, our energy sector, and our nation,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, addressing Ghanaian workers during May Day celebrations held at Jackson Park in Koforidua on Friday, May 1, 2026, the President said the facility is now fully operational after engineers successfully resolved the technical challenges caused by the incident.
“Just yesterday, I was in Akosombo, here in the Eastern Region, to inspect the damage at the Volta River Authority electricity generation station following the devastating fire in the switchyard control room,” he said.
He continued: “I know many of you are concerned about the disruptions to electricity supply caused by the Akosombo fire, but I want to share the good news that GRIDCo and VRA engineers, working together, have been able to bypass the burnt-out control room and have restarted all six turbines at the Akosombo Generating Station.”
Following the fire, the Energy Minister and his deputy visited the site and assured Ghanaians that engineers would work around the clock to restore the plant to full operation. He kept the public updated on the restoration exercise.
In his latest update, the Energy Minister said: “In the face of a major system disruption, and against all odds, our engineers, technicians, and emergency teams worked around the clock to restore power and stabilise the grid.
“Through their tireless work, discipline, and commitment to country, power has been restored and system stability secured,” he added.
Dr. Jinapor also expressed appreciation to the leadership and staff of GRIDCo, VRA, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and all supporting agencies whose coordination made the power restoration possible.
Drawing inspiration from the engineers’ efforts, he said, “This moment shows that even under pressure, Ghana can rely on the strength and skill of its people.”
“May God bless our engineers, our energy sector, and our nation,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, addressing Ghanaian workers during May Day celebrations held at Jackson Park in Koforidua on Friday, May 1, 2026, the President said the facility is now fully operational after engineers successfully resolved the technical challenges caused by the incident.
“Just yesterday, I was in Akosombo, here in the Eastern Region, to inspect the damage at the Volta River Authority electricity generation station following the devastating fire in the switchyard control room,” he said.
He continued: “I know many of you are concerned about the disruptions to electricity supply caused by the Akosombo fire, but I want to share the good news that GRIDCo and VRA engineers, working together, have been able to bypass the burnt-out control room and have restarted all six turbines at the Akosombo Generating Station.” Kenya Relaxes Sulphur Standards Amid Fuel Crisis
Kenya has temporarily lowered its sulphur fuel standards for a period of six months, allowing diesel and petrol with a maximum sulphur content of 50 mg/kg to be sold in the country.
The decision follows requests by petroleum sector stakeholders, who cited challenges in sourcing fuel that meets current compliance levels.
“Owing to constraints occasioned by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including disruptions to supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, and the need to safeguard the continuous supply of fuel critical to the economy, these concerns have been given urgent consideration,” a statement issued by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, and signed by Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, said.
According to the Ministry, it received requests from stakeholders in the petroleum sector, including the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, regarding challenges in sourcing fuel that meets current standard compliance levels.
Upon review by technical teams and consultations with the Kenya Bureau of Standards and the National Standards Council, the request was subjected to a comprehensive technical assessment before approval.
The temporary waiver applies to the sulphur parameter for KS EAS 177:2025 – Automotive Gasoil (diesel) and KS EAS 158:2025 – Premium Motor Spirit (petrol). The maximum limit has been set at 50 mg/kg, which corresponds to the previous fuel standards before stricter limits were introduced.
The measure is temporary and will be in effect for six months. It will be reviewed at the end of that period, or earlier if global supply conditions improve. The Ministry emphasised that this is a short-term intervention designed to ensure continued fuel availability and sustain economic stability during the current period of global supply disruption.
Kenya had been gradually adopting stricter fuel quality standards, including lower sulphur limits, to reduce emissions and improve air quality. The new limits under the East African Community standards were intended to align with global best practices.
However, the supply crisis has forced a temporary reversal to ensure that the country does not run out of fuel.
According to the Ministry, Kenya might have faced severe shortages as suppliers struggled to find compliant fuel in a disrupted global market without the waiver.
The temporary lower standard ensures that diesel and petrol can be sourced from a wider range of refineries, including those that may not yet meet the strictest sulphur limits.
However, higher sulphur content in fuel can contribute to increased air pollution, with potential health and environmental impacts.
The Ministry acknowledged the trade-off but emphasised that the measure is necessary to safeguard economic stability.
“It is against this backdrop and in full consideration of the need to safeguard the welfare of Kenyan consumers and the stability of the economy, that the Ministry has approved this request,” the press release stated.