This archive report was first published on 4 September 2021.
On September 2, 2021, Tanzania's Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) announced a price hike for petroleum products, citing world oil market prices. However, just two days later, the government suspended the increase and opted to retain the old prices.
According to Godfrey Chibulunje, acting director general of Ewura, the government decided to retain the old prices as all indications suggested that prices would continue to rise anyway.
Chibulunje stated that a team would be formed to investigate the economic indicators driving fuel prices up, led by officials from the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, the Tanzania Revenue Authority, Ewura, and other relevant institutions.
On Tuesday, Ewura had announced that the price of petrol would increase from Tsh2,381.04 ($5.50) per litre to Tsh2,511 ($5.80) per litre, while diesel prices would rise from Tsh2,161.12 ($4.99) per litre to Tsh2,291 ($5.29) per litre, and kerosene prices would increase from Tsh2,065.09 (4.78) per litre to Tsh2,194 ($5.07) per litre.
According to the Bank of Tanzania's monthly review for August, domestic pump prices of petroleum products in Tanzania have risen moderately since June 2020, reflecting world market prices. The report attributed this trend to increased demand associated with the recovery of the global economy.
