East Africa is witnessing a burgeoning geopolitical and commercial rivalry as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda vie for dominance in petroleum refining, storage, transportation, and distribution, potentially reconfiguring the region's energy landscape.

• The primary centers of this competition are Tanzania's Port of Tanga and Kenya's Lamu Port.
• Key figures involved include President William Ruto of Kenya and President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania.
• Uganda's significant oil reserves and its planned Hoima refinery are critical factors influencing crude and petroleum product movement across the region.