Introduction – Kenya’s Oil Market by the Numbers
Kenya is carving out its presence in the oil world — and while it’s not yet a major player in global oil production, its strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and export ambitions are making waves.
In 2019, Kenya made headlines when it exported its first 200,000 barrels of crude oil, earning $12 million through the Early Oil Pilot Scheme. The plan aimed to export 400,000 barrels annually until commercial production could ramp up. Fast forward to 2025, and Kenya continues to refine its oil strategy, despite infrastructure hurdles and delays in full-scale production.
Recently, major moves like Tullow Oil selling its Kenyan assets to Gulf Energy Ltd for $120 million show the evolving nature of Kenya’s oil sector. Add to that long-term oil credit deals with Gulf giants like Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, and Emirates National Oil Company, and it’s clear: Kenya is playing smart by leveraging partnerships to stabilize its economy and strengthen its energy security.
As Kenya gears up for broader oil exports by 2026, businesses eyeing the region must adopt a data-driven approach. Choosing the right supplier isn’t just about price—it’s about understanding export volumes, certifications, RFQ activity, and verified performance. Platforms like Freshdi offer real-time RFQ trends, verified supplier data, and insights that help importers make informed decisions.
Let’s break down the data, trends, and top suppliers shaping Kenya’s oil export market in 2025.
Deep Dive – Key Production, Export Statistics & Demand Insights
So, what’s happening behind the scenes in Kenya’s oil industry?
Crude Oil Production: The Road to Commercialization
Kenya discovered crude oil in the South Lokichar Basin back in 2012. Since then, the country has been working toward commercial production. The goal? To extract 560 million barrels over the next 25 years. By the end of 2026, Kenya aims to produce between 60,000 and 100,000 barrels per day.
To support this, the Kenya Crude Oil Pipeline is under development. This pipeline will connect Lokichar to the Port of Lamu, streamlining exports and reducing dependency on road transport. It’s expected to be operational by 2025.
Export Destinations: Where Kenya’s Oil Is Going
Kenya’s top oil export destinations include:
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): Exports to the UAE more than doubled in 2024, hitting $86.89 billion. This surge is due to increased jet fuel re-exports.
- East Africa Region: Kenya resolved a long-standing oil importation dispute with Uganda, allowing Uganda to import petroleum products through the Port of Mombasa.
Domestic Demand and Import Dependencies
While Kenya is gearing up to become an exporter, it still relies heavily on imports, especially for refined petroleum and cooking oil:
- Palm Oil Imports: Kenya imports over 90% of its cooking oil. Projections for 2025/2026 estimate 1.05 million tonnes in palm oil imports, with Malaysia being the dominant supplier.
- Fuel Demand: Kenya consumed around 114,000 barrels per day as of 2016, with local production covering only a fraction.
Freshdi Market Insights
Data from Freshdi shows rising RFQ volumes in refined oils and specialty oils like avocado and sunflower oil. Buyers are increasingly seeking suppliers with verified export records, consistent supply chains, and international certifications.
Top 9 Verified Oil Suppliers in Kenya – Leading Exporters by Volume
Here are the top-performing oil suppliers in Kenya for 2025, selected based on their export capabilities, product quality, and buyer reviews on Freshdi.
1. Dart Trading Co., Limited
Specializes in cold-pressed virgin avocado oil. Dart Trading is known for consistent quality, eco-friendly extraction methods, and strong global demand in cosmetic and culinary markets.
2. Origen
A trusted name in the avocado oil space, Origen caters to both food-grade and cosmetic industries. Their oils are certified, lab-tested, and available in bulk.
3. Gravitas Botanical Products Ltd.
Offers a wide range of essential and botanical oils. Gravitas is a leader in niche oils like moringa, baobab, and frankincense, serving wellness brands around the world.
4. agriglobalexportlimited
A major supplier of sunflower oil, agriglobalexportlimited is known for large-scale exports, competitive pricing, and refined oil variants suitable for food processing.
5. Audrey
Audrey supplies both palm and vegetable oils for industrial and culinary use. Their products are traceable to origin and comply with international food safety standards.
6. Avocado Oil Kenya Ltd.
One of the pioneers in avocado oil exports from Kenya. They focus on organic cultivation, sustainable farming, and traceability from farm to bottle.
7. Corazeno Trade Ltd.
Offers high-quality frankincense oil, widely used in aromatherapy and natural wellness industries across Europe and Asia.
8. Ajabu
Ajabu focuses on essential oils and natural extracts. Their innovative distillation process ensures purity and potency, making them a go-to for health and skincare brands.
9. KARMENDACO LIMITED
Supplies refined sunflower oil, CP8 and CP10 palm oil, and other vegetable oils. KARMENDACO is known for bulk supply capabilities and fast delivery timelines.
Bonus: Orient Enterprises Limited
A rising star in Kenya’s edible oil sector, offering refined cooking oils and value-added oil blends for commercial kitchens and retailers.
📈 Dynamic Ranking Note: Supplier performance is not static. Platforms like Freshdi offer dynamic rankings such as “Top Supplier of the Month” or “Supplier of the Quarter” based on order fulfillment, RFQ response rate, and customer satisfaction. Keep checking Freshdi for the most up-to-date supplier ratings.
Market Navigation – Statistical Trends, Value Dynamics & Export Dynamics
Understanding price trends and market demand is key when sourcing oil from Kenya.
Demand for Oil Variants
- Avocado Oil: With the rise of clean eating and natural skincare, avocado oil has become a fast-growing export product.
- Sunflower & Palm Oil: These remain staples in both domestic consumption and exports, with palm oil demand driven largely by the food manufacturing sector.
Seasonal Pricing Trends
Historically, oil prices in Kenya fluctuate based on:
- Harvest Seasons: For oils like avocado and sunflower, peak harvest leads to lower prices and higher availability.
- Global Crude Prices: Kenya’s refined petroleum prices often react to shocks in the global crude market.
- Forex Volatility: Import-export prices are sensitive to changes in the Kenyan shilling and USD exchange rate, making long-term contracts an attractive option for buyers.
Using Historical Data to Plan Procurement
Businesses that analyze past price and volume trends gain a competitive edge. For example, sourcing cooking oil just before the holiday season ensures better margins due to anticipated demand spikes. Tools on Freshdi help visualize such trends across categories and seasons.
Conclusion – Leveraging Data for Informed Procurement
Kenya’s oil market is evolving rapidly. With plans for large-scale crude oil production, robust partnerships with Gulf suppliers, and a growing export market for specialty oils, Kenya is positioning itself as a serious player in the regional and global oil trade.
For businesses looking to source oils from Kenya, success lies in:
– Picking suppliers with proven export records.
– Considering seasonal price dynamics.
– Using market intelligence platforms like Freshdi to compare suppliers, analyze RFQ trends, and monitor supplier performance.
✅ Procurement Checklist for Oil Buyers in Kenya:
- ✔️ Shortlist verified suppliers with export licenses.
- ✔️ Check RFQ response rates on platforms like Freshdi.
- ✔️ Compare seasonal pricing data before locking in bulk orders.
- ✔️ Ensure product certifications (e.g., HACCP, ISO).
- ✔️ Monitor currency exchange rates for better deal structuring.
🔮 Future Outlook:
With infrastructure investments like the Kenya Crude Oil Pipeline and the privatization of key state assets, Kenya’s oil sector is poised for long-term growth. Coupled with rising global demand for organic and specialty oils, Kenyan suppliers are in a strong position to expand their international footprint.
Platforms like Freshdi will continue to empower buyers with real-time insights, dynamic supplier rankings, and secure sourcing options—helping businesses source smarter, safer, and faster.
References
- Kenya earns $12M from first crude oil export
- Kenya to export 400,000 barrels/year crude
- Tullow Oil sells Kenya assets for $120M
- Kenya extends petroleum supply deal
- Kenya privatization push
- Kenya’s export market growth
- Kenya resolves oil import issue with Uganda
- Kenya’s palm oil import projections
- Kenya Market Overview – Trade.gov
FAQs
1. Is Kenya a major oil producer in Africa?
Not yet. Kenya is a developing oil producer with plans to scale production significantly by 2026. However, it is growing in influence, especially in specialty oils and regional petroleum trade.
2. What types of oils does Kenya export the most?
Kenya exports avocado oil, sunflower oil, and increasingly, essential oils like frankincense and baobab. Crude petroleum exports are limited but expected to grow.
3. How can businesses verify oil suppliers in Kenya?
Using platforms like Freshdi, importers can view verified supplier profiles, RFQ activity, certifications, and buyer ratings.
4. When is the best time to buy oil from Kenya?
For agricultural oils like avocado and sunflower, timing purchases just after harvest seasons (April–June, September–November) offers better prices.
5. What makes Freshdi different from other sourcing platforms?
Freshdi focuses on B2B market intelligence, verified supplier data, dynamic rankings, and real-time RFQ trends—empowering buyers to make informed sourcing decisions.
