India Becomes Kenya’s Top Petroleum Supplier, Overtaking UAE and Saudi Arabia

India has emerged as Kenya’s largest supplier of petroleum products, overtaking the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia amid major shifts in global fuel trade and disruptions in the Middle East.

The change comes as India continues to expand its position as one of the world’s leading refining hubs. Although India imports most of its crude oil requirements, its large refining capacity allows it to export significant volumes of petrol, diesel, jet fuel and other petroleum products.

According to commodity market data cited by energy analysts, India has replaced the UAE and Saudi Arabia as a key supplier of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and fuel oil to Kenya. The shift has been linked to disruptions in traditional Middle Eastern supply routes, which pushed Kenya to seek alternative sources.

India’s petroleum exports to Africa also recorded strong growth, with the continent emerging as an increasingly important market for Indian refiners. Changes in European restrictions on petroleum products refined from Russian crude have further contributed to a redirection of Indian fuel exports toward African markets.

Kenya has traditionally depended on major Gulf suppliers for its petroleum needs. However, the disruption of regional energy routes has significantly altered trade flows, creating an opportunity for Indian refiners to expand their presence in East Africa.

India is among the world’s largest refining nations, with 22 operational refineries and an installed refining capacity of more than 258 million tonnes annually. The country exported over 61 million tonnes of petroleum products in 2025-26, highlighting the scale of its refining and export infrastructure.

The Jamnagar refining complex in Gujarat, operated by Reliance Industries, remains one of the largest oil-refining complexes in the world and plays a major role in India's petroleum export capacity.

The expansion of petroleum shipments has also contributed to a broader rise in trade between India and Kenya. India’s exports to Kenya registered significant growth in July 2026 compared with the previous year, with petroleum products emerging as an important contributor to the increase.

India’s overall petroleum product exports also rose sharply during the period, while shipments to African markets reached record levels. The shift reflects changing global energy supply chains, geopolitical disruptions and the growing importance of India as a major refining and fuel-export hub.

With traditional suppliers facing disruptions and global trade routes undergoing significant changes, India’s growing role in supplying petroleum products to Kenya and other African countries could further strengthen its economic and strategic ties with the continent.