Petrol demand climbs 8.38pc in second half of 2025 on festive travel

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 15 – Kenya’s demand for petrol surged in the second half of 2025, driven largely by increased travel during the festive season and sustained economic activity, according to the latest report by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

Data from the regulator shows that total petroleum demand rose by 8.38 percent to 3.16 million cubic metres between July and December 2025, up from the corresponding period a year earlier.

The growth was most pronounced in December, when consumption of super petrol peaked, reflecting heightened mobility during the holiday season, while diesel demand hit its highest level in October amid increased commercial and industrial activity.

“Demand for electricity, petroleum products and Liquified Petroleum Products (LPG) registered an increase of 8.25%, 8.38% and 14.59% respectively compared to the corresponding period in the previous financial year,” the report states.

“Consumption of super petrol, diesel and kerosene registered growth during the review period, reflecting heightened domestic economic activity.”

The rise in petrol consumption underscores a broader recovery in consumer movement and spending, particularly during the end-of-year holidays when travel across the country typically spikes.

December’s peak in petrol demand aligns with increased private vehicle usage, long-distance travel, and tourism-related mobility.

Diesel consumption, on the other hand, peaked earlier in October, pointing to strong demand from transport, manufacturing, and agriculture – key sectors that rely heavily on the fuel for logistics and production.

The report links the overall rise in petroleum consumption to macroeconomic stability, with Kenya’s economy expanding by 4.9 percent as of September 2025, alongside relatively stable inflation and exchange rates.

This stable environment, EPRA notes, provided the impetus for higher energy usage across the board, reinforcing petroleum’s central role in powering both household mobility and industrial growth.

The increase also cements Kenya’s position as a regional energy hub, with petroleum exports to neighbouring countries rising by nearly 15 percent during the period under review, further boosting demand in the downstream sector.