In a statement issued on April 20, 2026, QCAA said it had released a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) authorising the phased restart of international airline services.
The authority said the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of the prevailing situation, conducted in coordination with all relevant national entities, to ensure the highest levels of readiness and operational efficiency.
QCAA emphasised that all flights and related airport operations would be conducted in line with internationally recognised safety and security standards, with all necessary precautions in place to protect passengers, crew, and aviation personnel.
“The safety and security of all remain our top priority,” the authority said.
Several international carriers had suspended or adjusted their services to Qatar as regional instability intensified, including RwandAir, which was among the airlines affected by the disruptions.
The ongoing Middle East conflict began in late February 2026, when coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets significantly heightened tensions across the region. Iran responded with retaliatory actions that quickly transformed the situation into a broader multi-front regional conflict.
The escalation severely disrupted global travel routes, trade flows, and energy markets, with airlines forced to reroute, delay, or suspend operations due to security concerns and airspace restrictions across parts of the Gulf and wider Middle East.
Qatar’s decision to gradually reopen operations for foreign carriers is expected to ease pressure on regional aviation and restore confidence among international airlines and travellers using Doha as a major transit hub.
The gradual resumption of operations for foreign airlines in Qatar through Hamad International Airport signals a cautious return to normalcy after months of disruption caused by the escalating Middle East conflict.
What is taking shape across western Rwanda, environmental leaders say, is more than land restoration, it is a synergy between climate action and human development.
“MuLaKiLa shows that restoring landscapes is not only about nature, it is equally about people,” says Dr. Sam Kanyamibwa, Founder and CEO of ARCOS, the organization implementing the project on the ground. “When farmers are empowered with knowledge and financial resources, conservation becomes a pathway to dignity, resilience, and long‑term development.”
That philosophy underpins the MuLaKiLa Project, a large‑scale landscape restoration and livelihood initiative operating around the Mukura–Gishwati Forest and the Lake Kivu catchment landscape.
According to Dr. Amani MABANO, Project Manager of MuLaKiLa, this carbon project was officially launched in 2023 to restore 22,266 hectares (ha) of degraded agricultural land and improve the livelihoods of 40,000 smallholder farmers’ households owning the land in Ngororero and Rutsiro districts.
The land is being restored through two key initiatives: tree plantation and establishment of radical and progressive terraces. The project aims to plant 6 million carbon trees comprising native (50% of the trees), fruit (30% of the trees), exotic (20% of the trees) species.
A project beneficiary standing next to Podocarpus falcatus. MuLaKiLa ensures that 50% of the tree species planted are indigenous.
The radical terraces to be established on 2,400 ha and progressive terraces will cover 7,739 ha. The establishment of these terraces comes with package of organic manure, lime, shrubs, elephant grass, and seeds for the agriculture season following the construction of the terraces. As of March 2026, 5.7 million trees have been planted and radical terraces established on 1,650 plus 5,208 ha of progressive terraces.
The livelihoods of local communities will be improved through several initiatives, including a well-designed set of training modules, increased crop yield, employment, tree maintenance incentive, value chain development for different agro-products, implementation of green projects funded through the Umusave Fund (an NBCF), and carbon benefit sharing.
“Thus, the project intends to build resilience to climate change for the vulnerable landscape and its residents,” says Amani.
For farmers like Ildephonse Bizimana, a smallholder in Rutsiro District, the results are already tangible.
“Before the project, rain used to wash away our soil and our harvests were poor,” he says. “Now, with terraces and trees on my land, the soil is stable and my crops are growing better. I can already see the difference in my yields.”
For Devota Uwajeneza, a farmer in Ngororero District, the impact has reshaped farming itself.
“Before, we cultivated but never harvested enough,” she says. “Now the terraces hold water, the soil is getting fertile again, and even during heavy rains, our fields remain intact.”
From the outset, communities have been central to the project’s design and execution. The initiative operates entirely on smallholder land and has engaged farmers and local leaders through village‑level consultations since its inception.
“These farmers are our key stakeholders,” Amani underlines. “They were involved from the beginning and are the drivers of implementation.”
Beyond land restoration, MuLaKiLa targets economic resilience through the Nature‑Based Community Fund (NBCF), a revolving financing mechanism established in 73 cells across the project area. In 2024, €840,000 was deposited into the fund. By early 2026, communities had launched around 450 green projects, with nearly 900 million Rwandan francs invested in climate‑friendly enterprises. For Kankindi Chantal, one of the beneficiaries, access to the fund was decisive.
“Through the community fund, our association was able to invest in livestock farming,” she says. “We repaid the loan and earned enough to plan to upscale our project. We are no longer just farming to survive; we are farming as a business.”
Chantal Kankindi, a project beneficiary of the MuLaKiLa.
All loans have been fully repaid, with interest, an outcome project leaders describe as evidence of growing confidence and financial discipline among communities.
Training has reinforced this transformation. Farmers receive instruction in project management, nursery establishment, and sustainable agricultural practices, alongside basic farming tools and continuous technical support.
“The training also changed how we think,” added Chantal Kankindi. “We now plan, set objectives, and work together. Even when the project ends, these skills will remain with us.”
MuLaKiLa is also structured as a carbon project, allowing communities to benefit directly from climate action. Farmers receive annual incentives to maintain planted trees, while a share of revenue from carbon credits will be returned to communities.
“They are the stewards of the land,” Amani says. “So they should benefit from protecting it.”
The project is the result of collaboration among farmers, district authorities, national institutions, and partners such as Reforest’Action, the project developer. Mabano also credits AstraZeneca for providing the financial support that made the initiative possible.
Much work remains before MuLaKiLa reaches full maturity. But across western Rwanda’s hillsides, terraces are holding, trees are growing, and farmers who once watched their land degrade are now planning for the future.
“What makes us proud,” Amani says, “is when communities succeed. That is when our project succeeds.”
The project invested in key agricultural value chains, including coffee, bananas, beekeeping, and avocado.The project created 280,000 jobs, thanks to nursery management work and terraces establishment.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures for May delivery reached as high as 91.2 U.S. dollars per barrel at the start of trading for the new week, up 8.76 percent from the settlement on Friday. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil futures for June delivery had a high of 97.5 U.S. dollars per barrel, up from the previous session’s settlement of 90.38 dollars per barrel.
Thirty-five outbound vessels reversed course over the past 36 hours after Iran reimposed control over the Strait of Hormuz, a London-based maritime analytics firm said on Sunday.
On Saturday evening, the Navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been blocked. This announcement followed the Iranian government’s declaration on Friday that the strait would be open to all commercial vessels for the duration of the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire.
Moreover, Iran’s official news agency IRNA said on Sunday the country has rejected taking part in the second round of the peace talks with the United States.
The renewed tensions also sent U.S. stock index futures plummeting on Sunday evening, with precious metal futures dropping significantly.
The optimism over resumption of trade flows in the Strait of Hormuz led to an over 11 percent drop of West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures for May delivery, and sent the S&P 500 Index and Nasdaq Composite Index to new record highs on Friday.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping corridor accounting for around 20 percent of global oil flows, has effectively been closed to oil tanker transit since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East at the end of February.
Thirty-five outbound vessels reversed course over the past 36 hours after Iran reimposed control over the Strait of Hormuz, a London-based maritime analytics firm said on Sunday.
Germany, through GIZ Rwanda and DSKI, supports Duterimbere IMF Plc in training women to strengthen their financial management skills while also providing them with low-interest loans.
Among the loan products offered is “Aguka Mugore,” which provides up to Rwf 5 million without requiring collateral such as land or property.
Another product, “Kungahara Mugore,” offers up to Rwf 30 million, with only 25% collateral required, while the remaining amount is guaranteed by Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD).
Beneficiaries say these initiatives have significantly transformed their businesses. Uwitonze Jeannette, a trader in auto parts, motorcycles, and milling machines, said she has worked with Duterimbere IMF Plc for 15 years, starting with a loan of Rwf 5 million and gradually expanding her business.
She later secured a Rwf 15 million loan, followed by Rwf 47 million in 2020, which she is close to completing. She now plans to apply for a Rwf 100 million loan at a low interest rate.
“All the progress I have made is thanks to Duterimbere IMF Plc,” she said. “We recently attended training by GIZ, where we were encouraged to improve our businesses and promised access to low-interest loans. That motivated us greatly.” Another beneficiary, Musabyimana Jeanne, who began working with the institution in 2015 selling clothes, has grown her business into a large shop dealing in a variety of garments and footwear.
She explained that her growth was supported by a series of loans—from Rwf 5 million to Rwf 7 million, then Rwf 9 million, and now Rwf 15 million.
Musabyimana noted that one of the biggest challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Rwanda is access to capital. She credited Duterimbere IMF Plc for bridging that gap, adding that the training and affordable loans have renewed hope among many women.
Ambassador Dettmann praised the institution’s commitment to supporting women, describing it as a strategic investment in families and the country’s future.
“I am very pleased to meet women running profitable businesses, and I am impressed by how Duterimbere IMF Plc works closely with its clients,” she said. “They made the right choice by focusing on women, because empowering women strengthens families, the country, and its future.”
The Managing Director of Duterimbere IMF Plc, Ngabonziza M. Alphonse, welcomed the ambassador’s visit and appreciation of their work.
“We are happy that she was satisfied with what we do, especially in helping women gain confidence to work and generate income, which aligns with Rwanda’s vision of putting citizens at the center of development,” he said.
He added that the positive partnership with German institutions through GIZ could open doors for further collaboration with other organizations to continue advancing women’s economic empowerment.
Established in 2004 and licensed by the National Bank of Rwanda in 2005, Duterimbere IMF Plc has grown into a key player in financial inclusion, particularly for women.
The institution offers a range of savings products, including the “Intego Account,” which provides competitive annual returns paid monthly, with customers allowed up to two withdrawals per month, alongside other tailored accounts.
Currently, Duterimbere IMF Plc operates 19 branches across the country—five in Kigali, four in the Southern Province, two in the Western Province, one in the Northern Province, and six in the Eastern Province—continuing to expand its reach and impact.
Uwitonze Jeannette (center, wearing a red jacket) praised the role of Duterimbere IMF Plc in her business growth.The Managing Director of Duterimbere IMF Plc Ngabonziza M. Alphonse speaks with Ambassador Heike Uta Dettmann.Duterimbere IMF Plc and the Government of Germany partner to train women.Ambassador Heike Uta Dettmann commended Duterimbere IMF Plc for helping women access financial services.. Ambassador Heike also visited some of the women-led projects supported by Duterimbere IMF Plc, including a clothing shop owned by Musabyimana Jeanne (right). Women working with Duterimbere IMF Plc praised it for transforming their businesses and driving their progress.
Another notable change is the unusually frequent revision of fuel prices. For the first time, prices were adjusted after only two weeks. Traditionally, fuel prices in Rwanda were revised every two months, but in early April, the cycle was shortened to one month, and later to just two weeks.
According to RURA’s pricing mechanism, fuel prices can technically be reviewed daily depending on market conditions and their impact on supply and costs.
Global supply disruptions as the main driver
Petrol imported into Rwanda passes through ports in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Mombasa (Kenya). However, before reaching these ports, it is sourced from various global suppliers.
Currently, about 27% of fuel entering the region passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Other supplies come from India and Saudi Arabia, often transported through routes near Yemen, particularly the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Due to the Iran–US conflict, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted shipping routes, with some vessels being blocked or delayed.
This has reduced the flow of fuel to Tanzania and Kenya, forcing suppliers to seek alternative and often more expensive routes. As a result, transportation costs have increased, which has directly pushed up fuel prices.
In Kenya and Tanzania, fuel prices are also adjusted monthly. Currently, petrol in Kenya costs about Rwf 2,342 per litre, while diesel is around Rwf 2,341.
Before Rwanda adjusted its prices, fuel in the country was relatively cheaper compared to neighbouring markets. This allowed some international truck drivers to refuel in Rwanda.
However, this situation created distortions in the market, prompting a price adjustment to align Rwanda with regional pricing trends, where profit margins had shifted unfavourably.
Storage owners have significantly increased prices
In Rwanda, fuel pricing is calculated based on importers who bring petroleum products through international supply chains, mainly via shipping routes in the region. These importers account for about 60% of Rwanda’s fuel supply.
The remaining 40% is supplied through traders who purchase fuel from Tanzania and Kenya, negotiate prices, transport it by trucks, and sell it in Rwanda. Due to rising global prices and regional shortages, these traders face higher procurement costs.
In simple terms, storage owners tend to delay selling in anticipation of higher future profits. Some storage operators in Tanzania have sharply increased their prices, which has affected the 40% of traders who rely on them. As a result, many truckers are now unable to sell fuel competitively in the Rwandan market.
If this segment of 40% were left unregulated, the 60% of formal importers would continue supplying fuel, but at a level insufficient to meet national demand, potentially leading to shortages.
This situation forced Rwanda to take early action to stabilise the market and ensure continued supply. Typically, a fuel truck takes at least five days to travel from Tanzania to Rwanda.
Government absorbs diesel cost increases
According to RURA’s latest pricing statement, the price of diesel has remained unchanged. This decision was made to continue supporting public transport, goods transportation, and the broader economy.
This is a critical intervention, as an increase in diesel prices would have significantly raised the cost of living across all sectors. Transport fares would have increased, and the prices of goods would have risen sharply.
In practical terms, maintaining diesel prices means the government is effectively absorbing part of the cost, likely through tax adjustments. Without this intervention, diesel prices could have exceeded Rwf 3,000 per litre.
Future outlook
If current trends continue, petrol prices in Rwanda could exceed Rwf 3,200 per litre by May, reflecting ongoing global market pressures.
On the international market, a barrel of crude oil is currently trading between $98.5 and $113 in some regions.
In March, crude oil prices fluctuated significantly: on March 4 it stood at $74.6 per barrel, rose to $97 on March 19, reached $98.7 on March 13, and climbed to about $108 in early April.
These global fluctuations continue to strongly influence fuel prices in Rwanda and the wider region.
Fuel prices in Rwanda have increased significantly due to the impact of the Iran–United States conflict.
In late March, the relatively unknown Chinese motorcycle maker ZXMOTO clinched back-to-back titles in the World Supersport category at the Portuguese round of the Superbike World Championship, breaking a decades-long monopoly held by established global brands.
Hailed by international media as a testament to China’s manufacturing strength and comprehensive local supply chain, the victory highlights a larger reality: as global economic turbulence intensifies, China’s manufacturing sector is proving its resilience and capacity for high-quality growth.
From big to strong
Having maintained its position as the world’s largest manufacturing hub for 16 consecutive years, China has fortified its key industrial and supply chains to become more resilient, providing strong support for weathering major risks.
The country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) has made moving faster to boost its strength in manufacturing a central task, calling for maintaining a reasonable share of manufacturing in the economy and building a modern industrial system led by advanced manufacturing.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, during the 2026-2030 period, the country will shore up weak links, strengthen competitive edges and seize early-mover advantages, with the goal of moving from key breakthroughs to all-round advantages.
Xin Yongfei, an expert with the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, noted that China’s manufacturing sector already has the scale and innovation foundation.
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, he said, maintaining strategic focus and concentrating on crucial areas will allow China to leap from “following” to “running alongside” and even “leading,” laying a solid foundation for basically achieving new industrialization.
Local governments have also rolled out concrete plans: Hunan Province in central China will implement landmark projects for an advanced manufacturing highland, Shanghai in east China aims to build the “Made in Shanghai” brand, and southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality is pushing to become a strong manufacturing city.
Core-reshaping innovation
In Beijing’s Yizhuang District, also known as E-town, humanoid robots can be seen training for a half-marathon. Many of them can now run at speeds of up to six meters per second, rivaling the pace of professional athletes.
This leap mirrors a broader push toward higher-end, smarter and greener manufacturing. The 15th Five-Year Plan outlines a series of concrete steps: improving manufacturing quality, boosting the resilience of industrial and supply chains, and achieving breakthroughs in core technologies.
One telling example is the recent release of China’s domestically developed T1200-grade ultra-high-strength carbon fiber, now the strongest industrially produced carbon fiber in the world.
“Thanks to this technological breakthrough, our domestically produced large aircraft will be lighter, deep-space exploration can go farther, and new energy vehicles will have longer range. It provides a stronger ‘skeleton’ for future industries,” said Chen Qiufei, the R&D lead.
Meanwhile, companies are shifting from selling hardware to offering integrated solutions. DJI, known for its drones, now provides agricultural plant protection solutions, with related service revenue accounting for more than 30 percent of its total.
Similarly, Chinese battery maker Sunwoda has built a six-dimensional maglev production line and a digital twin system to improve its own manufacturing efficiency, and is now exporting smart manufacturing solutions to others.
The results are visible in the data. In the first two months of 2026, the value-added output of high-tech manufacturing enterprises grew 13.1 percent year on year, while that of equipment manufacturing rose 9.3 percent.
The “AI plus manufacturing” initiative has been implemented, with the adoption rate of AI technology among major manufacturing firms exceeding 30 percent. Meanwhile, more than 8,300 green factories have been established nationwide.
More open landscape
At the same time, China’s manufacturing sector is opening up further. In Zhanjiang, south China’s Guangdong Province, German chemicals giant BASF’s massive production complex, known as a Verbund site, has started production, marking the largest single investment project wholly owned by a German enterprise in China.
Thousands of miles away in Tatabanya, Hungary, Chinese heavy machinery manufacturer Zoomlion’s first European smart factory has opened, providing a stable and efficient product supply and better localized services for European customers.
All foreign investment restrictions in the manufacturing sector have been lifted in China. In the first two months of this year, China’s exports of high-tech and high-value-added mechanical and electrical products reached 2.89 trillion yuan (about 418.9 billion U.S. dollars), up 24.3 percent year on year.
As China navigates an increasingly volatile world, its manufacturing sector is actively integrating into global markets, offering vast cooperation opportunities for the world.
This photo taken on April 2, 2026 shows a view inside an aircraft manufacturing workshop of Wanfeng Auto Holding Group in Laixi City, east China’s Shandong Province.
Running from April 13 to 18 in Haikou, capital of China’s island province of Hainan, the annual expo is showcasing premium global products and facilitating cooperation between international brands and local partners.
Despite the diversity of their product categories ranging from health, food and cosmetics to art, exhibitors share a common goal: to expand their presence in China.
As this year’s guest country of honor, Canada has brought its largest-ever delegation, with around 40 companies participating. A highlight among its premium offerings is a wide range of natural, health-boosting products.
Among the companies is Canada Royal Milk (CRM), a powder formula producer based in Ontario. The company is leveraging the expo to capitalize on China’s huge market potential, driven by its large population and consumption upgrading.
Reago Li, the China region general distributor for the Canadian brand, told Xinhua that at this year’s expo, the company is highlighting Capriss, a goat milk powder brand under CRM that targets adult consumers, particularly those aged 45 and above.
According to Li, compared to cow milk, goat milk has smaller fat molecules, making it easier to digest and more friendly for people with lactose intolerance.
Since its debut in the Chinese market in 2023, Capriss has expanded its sales and built a growing presence in local supermarkets and shopping malls. It has also established a sales channel on a popular online pharmacy platform in the country, Li said.
Next to Li’s booth, DPA is displaying seal oil soft capsules, an Omega-3 health supplement. Song Bingbing, the brand’s chief nutritionist, said that five consecutive years of participation in the expo has helped the Canadian brand gain growing market recognition, with its products now sold in over 5,000 retail stores nationwide.
Explaining the Chinese market’s strategic importance, Song said there is a shift in the country from a treatment-centered approach to one centered on chronic disease management, and that the product aligns well with growing health management needs, such as weight management and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. “With a large population base, the Chinese market is a top priority.”
Li echoed this sentiment, categorizing China’s consumer market as top-tier in both scale and quality. “Indispensable” was his word for the market, expressing the Canadian brand’s confidence in competing for a share in it.
The information provided by the two exhibitors has offered a clear lens into how increasingly important the Chinese market is becoming for global companies. Further evidence of their eagerness to explore this market is inside the hall, where live-streamers are invited to promote premium products to online audiences, and hired staff are hospitably offering samples of delicacies to visitors and inquirers — from butter on biscuits from Ireland, wine from France, to ginseng tea from Canada.
The numbers tell the same story. International exhibits accounted for 65 percent of the total this year, up 20 percentage points from last year, according to expo data. Meanwhile, the number of professional buyers is expected to reach 65,000, a 10-percent rise from the previous edition, said Lu Min, director of the Hainan provincial bureau of international economic development.
While the convergence of global brands demonstrates their continued interest, the market’s diversity, speed and complexity are also prompting them to refine their marketing strategies, pricing and product design in response to rapidly evolving consumer preferences. In a recent commentary, the Macau Post Daily noted that rather than simply a question of scale or growth, the Chinese market is where global companies’ strategies get tested and refined.
Chen Lifen, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, said China’s consumer market is seeing increasingly pronounced trends toward smarter, greener and higher-quality consumption upgrades. Chen noted that the expo has built an efficient and convenient channel for high-quality global consumer goods to enter the domestic market, and injected new momentum into expanding and upgrading consumption while unlocking the potential of China’s mega-market.
Since its launch in 2021, the CICPE has become an important platform for multinationals to stay abreast of consumer trends in China, with over 3,800 enterprises and more than 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions participating in the past five editions.
People visit the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province, April 13, 2026.
The State Minister for Infrastructure, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, made the appeal following a recent increase in petrol prices, emphasizing that public transport fares will remain unchanged since diesel, widely used in public transport, has not increased in price.
On April 16, 2026, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) announced that the price of petrol had risen from Rwf 2,303 to Rwf 2,938 per litre, an increase of Rwf 635. The new prices took effect on the morning of April 17, 2026. Meanwhile, the price of diesel remained unchanged at Rwf 2,205 per litre.
Speaking to Radio Rwanda, Uwihanganye attributed the rise in petrol prices to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, the United States, and Israel—regions that are key sources and transit routes for petroleum products imported into Rwanda.
“We are in an extraordinary situation caused by the war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel in a region that supplies petroleum products. Supply has decreased, pushing prices up by nearly 20%,” he said, noting that global price fluctuations remain unpredictable as the conflict continues.
Despite the increase in petrol prices, the minister stressed that public transport fares will not be revised upward, since diesel prices have remained stable. He explained that this is part of government measures to cushion citizens from the full impact of global fuel price shocks.
“The price of public transport will not change because diesel, which is mainly used in public transport, has not increased,” he said.
Uwihanganye added that the cost of goods is also not expected to rise significantly, as diesel—commonly used in the transportation of goods—has remained stable.
However, he cautioned that price adjustments may continue depending on how the conflict evolves, noting that the government will keep balancing necessary changes with the welfare of citizens.
He explained that the government’s priority is to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products in the country, even as rising global prices require additional financial resources to maintain supply—costs that are partly passed on to consumers.
Sufficient fuel reserves
Addressing concerns about fuel availability, Uwihanganye reassured the public that Rwanda still has adequate reserves of both petrol and diesel.
“There are minimum stock levels that fuel traders are required to maintain, and these are still in place. In addition, the country has strategic reserves that can be used in case of disruptions,” he said.
He noted that Rwanda relies entirely on international markets for petroleum products, meaning supply chains can take time, which makes maintaining reserves essential.
However, he warned that despite the current stability in reserves, Rwanda is not immune to shortages, as seen in some countries affected by the ongoing conflict.
Eng. Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye says public transport fares will remain unchanged.
Call for responsible consumption
In light of the situation, the minister urged citizens to reduce non-essential travel and prioritize public transport such as buses instead of using private cars. He also encouraged households to use petroleum-based energy responsibly.
On the issue of subsidies, Uwihanganye said the government is already providing support, noting that without intervention, fuel prices—especially petrol—would be significantly higher based on international market trends.
“Current prices already reflect government efforts, including subsidies and support to fuel importers. Diesel has remained stable partly due to these measures,” he explained.
He also warned traders against exploiting the situation by unjustifiably increasing the prices of goods, stressing that the rise in petrol prices should not disrupt market stability.
Long-term measures
Looking ahead, Uwihanganye said the government is continuing efforts to secure fuel supply routes and maintain reserves, even as delays in deliveries have started to emerge due to the conflict.
He also encouraged Rwandans to consider adopting electric vehicles as a long-term solution to reduce dependence on petroleum products.
In the meantime, citizens have been advised to expect broader price increases due to the global situation, avoid unnecessary spending, and rely on government measures aimed at protecting livelihoods.
MININFRA has urged private car owners to opt for public buses
In a communiqué issued on Thursday night, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) said the revised prices will take effect on April 17 at 6:00 a.m., with all rates inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT).
The latest adjustment reflects rising international oil prices and tightening supply conditions, which have been exacerbated by ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The conflict has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, significantly disrupting global energy flows and pushing prices upward.
While petrol prices have been increased to align more closely with these global trends, the government has opted to hold diesel prices steady through targeted interventions. Diesel is a key input in Rwanda’s transport and logistics sectors, and keeping its price unchanged is aimed at limiting knock-on effects on public transport fares, goods movement, and overall inflation.
“The price of diesel remains unchanged in order to maintain support of public transport of persons and goods, as well as overall economic activities,” the statement noted.
RURA said the pricing decision balances market realities with the need to protect economic activity, particularly in sectors that rely heavily on diesel.
The move comes just weeks after the previous price revision in early April, when both petrol and diesel saw notable increases. Petrol rose to Rwf 2,303 per litre at the time, while diesel climbed to its current level of Rwf 2,205 per litre.
Since then, global oil markets have remained volatile, with supply disruptions and uncertainty continuing to shape pricing trends. The blockage of key shipping routes has compounded existing pressures, contributing to higher import costs for fuel-dependent economies such as Rwanda.
RURA has advised consumers and businesses to optimise fuel usage, including through efficient travel planning and greater reliance on public or shared transport.
The regulator said it will continue to monitor developments in global and regional petroleum markets and adjust pricing policies as necessary to ensure market stability, fair pricing, and reliable supply across the country.
Petrol prices on the pump have been increased to Rwf 2,938 per litre, up from Rwf 2,303, while diesel remains unchanged at Rwf 2,205.
In its latest Fiscal Monitor report released Wednesday, the IMF said fiscal management is becoming increasingly challenging against a backdrop of trade fragmentation, intensifying geopolitical tensions, evolving sovereign debt markets and the buildup of structural vulnerabilities.
While global public debt dynamics showed no improvement in 2025, the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East has added a new source of fiscal pressure to an already fragile global landscape, the report noted. Global gross government debt rose to nearly 94 percent of GDP in 2025 and, on current trajectories, is projected to reach 100 percent by 2029 — a level previously reached only in the aftermath of World War II.
Rodrigo Valdes (C), director of the IMF’s fiscal affairs department, speaks at a press briefing on Fiscal Monitor in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 15, 2026. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that global fiscal policy is coming under mounting pressure amid elevated debt levels and growing risks.
Concerns extend beyond the sheer scale of global debt to the shrinking fiscal space under current policy settings. The global fiscal buffer has effectively vanished, falling from more than 1 percent of GDP a decade ago to near zero today.
In addition, interest payments have risen sharply in just four years, from about 2 percent to nearly 3 percent of global GDP.
The IMF said the fiscal outlook has deteriorated further since its April 2025 Fiscal Monitor, with global debt-at-risk three years ahead now approaching 117 percent of GDP, underscoring heightened downside risks.
The Middle East conflict could further strain public finances through higher food and energy prices, tighter financial conditions, weaker economic activity, and rising defense outlays. In a scenario of prolonged conflict, global debt-at-risk could increase by an additional 4 percentage points, the IMF warned.
In the United States, the general government deficit currently stands at between 7 and 8 percent of GDP, with no debt consolidation plan in sight. Gross debt is projected to reach 142 percent of GDP by 2031.
The conflict also risks reinforcing adverse financial and commodity price dynamics, adding to macroeconomic pressures in emerging market and developing economies.
With the window for orderly fiscal adjustment narrowing, the IMF urged countries to adopt more forward-looking and structurally anchored fiscal policies as they cope with the effects of energy price shocks.
It called on the United States to stabilize its debt trajectory through measures on both revenue and expenditure, urged European governments to reconcile rising defense commitments with aging-related spending pressures by reprioritizing expenditures, and advised emerging markets to address contingent liabilities, phase out costly fuel subsidies and broaden their tax bases.
Rodrigo Valdes, director of the IMF’s fiscal affairs department, speaks at a press briefing on Fiscal Monitor in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 15, 2026.
