Rising fuel prices in Rwanda are already pushing up transport fares, food costs and everyday household spending, with the impact most visible in Kigali where most goods are transported by road. Petrol now costs about Rwf 2,938 per litre, while diesel stands at around Rwf 2,205, something that has driven up the cost of goods and tightening household budgets. Experts say families must now adjust their spending habits, cut costs and prioritise essential needs. ALSO READ: Transport fares revised with new fuel prices Jackson Kwikiriza, Chief Executive of the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR), said rising fuel prices are not just a transport issue but one that affects the entire economy. In a country that imports all its fuel and relies heavily on road transport, the effects are quickly felt through higher fares, increased food prices and reduced purchasing power. He explained that fuel costs directly affect the movement of goods from farms to markets, making even basic items such as fruits and vegetables more expensive. Transport, he noted, is the most immediate pressure point, with motorcycle taxis, buses and private vehicles all impacted. Kwikiriza advised households to reduce unnecessary travel and combine errands such as banking, shopping and pharmacy visits into a single trip. Frequent short journeys, he warned, can quietly inflate monthly expenses. For instance, a commuter travelling daily from Kicukiro to the city centre by motorcycle taxi at about Rwf 1,200 per trip can spend close to Rwf 60,000 per month. Cutting just a few trips per week could save between Rwf 10,000 and Rwf 15,000 monthly. ALSO READ: Economists warn of oil shock, urge spending cuts He encouraged a shift from motorcycle taxis to buses, which are cheaper per kilometre, as well as carpooling and shared rides, practices increasingly common among office workers. “Splitting fuel costs can reduce expenses by 30 to 50 percent. Living closer to work is becoming economically smarter. Transport is one of the easiest areas to cut costs because small behavioural changes lead to immediate savings,” he said. Kwikiriza noted that food prices are also rising due to increased transport costs across supply chains, but cautioned against cutting food spending at the expense of nutrition. Instead, he recommended reducing reliance on convenience foods such as takeaways and deliveries, noting that home cooking is more cost-effective and can significantly lower monthly food bills. He also advised households to shop at local markets rather than supermarkets where possible, choose seasonal and locally available produce, and minimise food waste. Many families, he said, lose between 10 and 20 percent of food due to poor storage and planning. On utilities, Kwikiriza urged more efficient energy use, including adopting improved charcoal stoves or using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) more efficiently, batch cooking to reduce fuel consumption, and cutting electricity waste by switching off unused appliances and using energy-saving bulbs. “Saving even Rwf 5,000 to Rwf 10,000 a month on utilities is achievable without sacrificing comfort,” he said. He added that households can free up cash by cutting non-essential expenses such as subscriptions, social outings and impulse purchases. However, Kwikiriza acknowledged that cost-cutting alone has limits, especially for households relying on fixed incomes or small businesses. “The practical option is to look for simple, low-risk ways of earning extra income that require little starting capital, generate quick returns and meet everyday demand,” he said. He pointed to micro-business opportunities such as mobile money agency services for MTN or Airtel, which typically require startup capital of between Rwf 500,000 and Rwf 1.5 million and can generate daily commissions, particularly in high-traffic areas like bus stations. Small retail shops selling essential goods, such as sugar, soap, airtime and cooking oil also offer steady income, especially in residential areas like Kicukiro, despite relatively small profit margins. Additional income opportunities include reselling fresh produce from markets like Nyabugogo and Kimironko, offering services such as tutoring, digital work and phone repairs, as well as small-scale farming ventures like poultry and kitchen gardening. Kwikiriza highlighted group-based savings and lending schemes, including savings groups and SACCOs, as among the most stable financial support systems. Members contribute small amounts regularly and can access loans, sometimes as low as Rwf 200,000 to start small businesses while building a culture of saving. He added that combining formal employment with a side hustle—such as weekend tutoring or selling juice can generate an extra Rwf 50,000 to Rwf 150,000 per month. Financial coach Aimable Nkuranga emphasised that small, consistent changes in daily routines can ease financial pressure. These include planning weekly movements, combining errands and prioritising walking or affordable public transport. He also encouraged households to rethink purchasing habits by buying non-perishable goods in bulk when prices are favourable, sourcing items from nearby markets to reduce transport costs, and clearly distinguishing between needs and wants. “Families should track their expenses, even informally, to identify where money is leaking and make better decisions. Small but frequent expenses—such as airtime, mobile money transaction fees or impulse purchases—can consume a significant share of income,” he said. Nkuranga stressed the importance of setting spending limits, agreeing on household priorities and reviewing expenses regularly to build financial discipline. He added that saving in the current environment requires a shift in mindset—from saving what remains after spending to spending what remains after saving. Even small, consistent contributions through mobile platforms or community groups such as ibimina can strengthen financial resilience over time. Saving, he noted, also includes reducing future costs by investing in energy-efficient appliances, durable goods and small kitchen gardens, as well as avoiding unnecessary debt, particularly for consumption. “If fuel prices remain high, households need to move from reacting to planning ahead by rethinking lifestyle choices that depend heavily on transport. Living closer to workplaces or schools, where possible, or choosing more stable transport arrangements can reduce long-term exposure to fuel price shocks,” he said. Nkuranga added that gradually building an emergency fund and investing in skills can improve earning potential and help households move from short-term survival to long-term financial stability.
