Tanzania's energy regulator raised maximum fuel prices on Saturday, citing higher international costs for crude and refined products and a weaker local currency. Fuel prices weigh heavily on the inflation rate in the east African country, which rose to 5.0 percent in the 12 months through December from 4.8 percent the previous month.
Tanzania's Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) raised the maxiumum retail price of petrol by 3.64 percent and increased the cap for diesel sales by 7.47 percent.
Maximum kerosene prices were raised 8.9 percent in the latest monthly price limits, which take immediate effect. "These changes have been caused by an increase in petroleum products prices in the world market ... and the depreciation of the Tanzania shilling against the US dollar," EWURA said.
The regulator increased the price of petrol in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam by 69 shillings a litre to 1,959 shillings ($0.8785), and the price of diesel in the capital by 129 shillings to 1,861 shillings per litre.