Kenya grants UNOC permission to import petroleum products through Mombasa

Posted on : Friday , 5th April 2024

Kenya has granted Uganda's state oil firm, UNOC (Uganda National Oil Company), permission to import petroleum products through the port of Mombasa, as confirmed by Uganda's energy ministry on Thursday. This decision comes as Uganda seeks alternative routes for importing petroleum, having historically relied on affiliated Kenyan firms for decades. Solomon Muyita, spokesperson for Uganda's ministry of energy and minerals, indicated that the inaugural shipment under this new arrangement is anticipated in May.

According to Muyita, "Kenya has agreed to give us a licence, UNOC is now free to import through Mombasa." The Business Daily newspaper initially reported this development, citing Kenyan Energy Minister Davis Chirchir, who noted that UNOC would utilize the Kenya Pipeline Company for transportation, ensuring Kenya's continued involvement in the process.

In 2022, Uganda imported petroleum products worth $1.6 billion, predominantly from the Gulf, with approximately 90% of these imports passing through Kenya. Reports from Kenyan media outlets highlighted a recent meeting between Kenyan President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, held in Uganda the previous month.