India Overtakes Gulf Suppliers as Kenya's Largest Fuel Exporter

India has surpassed the UAE and Saudi Arabia to become Kenya's largest supplier of petroleum products. This shift comes amid the US-Iran War, which has disrupted fuel-trading routes across the Middle East. According to Dallas-based energy economist Anas Alhajji, India has replaced its Gulf counterparts as the main supplier of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and fuel oil to Kenya.

The change is not limited to Kenya; India's petroleum-product exports to Africa reached a record level in July, rising 66% from the same month last year. This growth can be attributed to the European Union's restrictions on imports of petroleum products made from Russian crude, which has redirected Indian fuel shipments towards African markets.

India's strong refining capacity has played a major role in this shift. The country is home to 22 operational refineries with a combined annual capacity of 258.1 million tonnes, making it the world's fourth-largest oil refiner and Asia's second-largest. This capacity allows Indian refiners to process large quantities of crude and supply finished products to international markets.