Oil exporter to build $4m terminal in Kigali

Hashi Empex, Nairobi-based exporter of refined petroleum products to the East and Central African region, is to construct a $4 million fuel storage terminal in Kigali, Rwanda.

Hashi Empex managing director Ahmed Hashi made the announcement last week at a dinner held at the Kigali Serena Hotel to mark the signing of a contract to supply 3.5 million litres of fuel per month to Rwanda’s power generation company, Electrogaz.

The fuel will be used to power thermal turbines.

Hashi Empex recently received $14.5 million in financing from the PTA Bank to service the contract with Electrogaz.

Mr Hashi pointed out that Rwanda’s strategic geographical position makes it an ideal economic hub for the Great Lakes Region and Central Africa.

“It is with this in mind that we have chosen Rwanda as our hub for this region. In this regard, we are today announcing our investment in a fuel terminal of 5.5 million litres capacity at a cost of $4 million,” he said.

This will be the first major private fuel storage terminal in Rwanda. The investment, said Mr Hashi, was in line with the company’s vision “To be the leader in the marketing of petroleum products in Eastern Africa.”

The investment will create employment both directly and indirectly for about 200 people.

Mr Hashi said that his company was now the preferred supplier of petroleum products to Electrogaz through a contract awarded at the beginning of this year.

The contract is the single largest export order to be granted to a local petroleum company in the region.

The company has managed to consistently supply fuel to Electrogaz, even during the period of political crisis in Kenya earlier this year.

Rwanda’s Minister for Infrastructure, Linda Bihire, who was the guest of honour at the function, praised Hashi Empex for showing confidence in Rwanda’s economy by announcing plans to build the fuel terminal.

The terminal, she noted, will also have a liquefied petroleum gas filling plant that will go a long way towards enhancing the country’s strategic stock.

“I want to welcome Hashi Empex with a firm assurance of our full support as they plan to invest in a new terminal here in Kigali and in their bid to identify appropriate corporate social investment programmes that they can support,” she said.

Speaking at the same function, Kenya’s Assistant Minister for Energy Mohamoud Mohamed said, “It is a great show of confidence for Electrogaz to entrust the power generation needs of its country with Hashi Empex. I wish to state that the government of Kenya is proud of the company for this historic achievement. It goes to show what dedication and hard work can do for you.”