India becomes Kenya's top petroleum supplier

India has emerged as Kenya's primary supplier of petroleum products, overtaking traditional sources such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This shift in the fuel-supply pattern is driven by disruptions to trading routes in the Middle East linked to the US-Iran conflict.

Data indicates a significant decline in shipments from the UAE, which fell from approximately 90,000 barrels per day in January to roughly 15,000 barrels per day by August. Indian refiners have utilized their large refining capacity and export infrastructure to fill the gap, supplying gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and fuel oil to the East African nation.

While Kenya is diversifying its sources to ensure energy security, the long-term import landscape may change due to local industrial developments, including plans for a major $20 billion refinery and petrochemical complex by Aliko Dangote.