If you walk around any garage in Dar es Salaam or Nairobi, you can smell it — the thick scent of oil, the sound of engines, the sight of hands covered in grease. Behind those scenes is one quiet hero that keeps our vehicles, machines, and power generators alive: lubricants.
Across Tanzania and much of Africa, demand for lubricants is no longer just about keeping engines running smoothly. It is now about supporting growing industries, transport systems, and even our power supply. The market is changing fast, and for anyone watching closely, this silent sector is becoming one of the most important engines of Africa’s development.
The Market on the Move
According to MarketDataForecast (July 2025), Africa’s lubricant market is valued around USD 2.52 billion, while Mordor Intelligence (September 2025) puts it closer to USD 1.96 billion. The difference may look big, but it mostly comes from how each group measures the industry — some count base oils and blends, others just finished lubricants.
Globally, lubricants remain a massive business. A ResearchAndMarkets study (May 2025) projects worldwide demand to grow from USD 178 billion in 2025 to more than USD 204 billion by 2030. Africa, though still small compared to Asia or North America, is one of the fastest-growing regions.
In this mix, Tanzania is turning into a bright spot. Demand is rising quickly thanks to more cars, more motorcycles, and more construction projects. Mining and agriculture also consume a lot of heavy-duty lubricants. As a sign of confidence, FUCHS — a well-known global lubricant company — launched a new motorcycle oil in Dar es Salaam in July 2025.
Where the Growth Is Coming From
There are three big engines driving this growth.
First, infrastructure and construction. Roads, bridges, energy plants, and mines — all require machines that need proper lubrication.
Second, transport. The number of vehicles and motorbikes on African roads is increasing every year. In Tanzania, bajajis and motorcycles dominate urban transport, and they all depend on affordable, reliable engine oil.
Third, power generation. Many businesses and homes rely on generators when the grid goes down. Those machines use industrial lubricants to stay efficient.
These drivers together are shaping a market that touches everything — from long-haul trucks on the highway to fishing boats and farm equipment.
Challenges Behind the Shine
But like many African industries, the lubricant market has its share of challenges.
The biggest one is price fluctuation. Base oils, which are used to make lubricants, are mostly imported. A Lubes’n’Greases report (June 2025) showed prices stable in some regions but rising sharply in others. When the cost of shipping or base oil changes, every distributor feels it.
Another issue is quality control. Many workshops still use recycled or low-grade oil because it is cheaper. Unfortunately, that shortens engine life and causes breakdowns. Governments are slowly tightening rules, but enforcement is uneven.
Then there are rumours that local refineries will soon replace all lubricant imports. For now, that is more hope than fact. While some refinery upgrades are planned, most African countries — including Tanzania — still rely heavily on imported finished lubricants.
What Is Changing on the Ground
Despite these problems, the market is growing in more professional ways. Local companies are beginning to blend and package lubricants inside the region to cut shipping costs. Small training programs are teaching mechanics how to use and sell the right grades of oil.
There is also a quiet move toward synthetic and semi-synthetic products that last longer and offer better engine protection, especially for modern vehicles. Companies like FUCHS and TotalEnergies are already promoting these in Tanzania and Kenya.
And slowly, talk about used-oil recycling is gaining ground. Collecting waste oil safely and re-refining it could become a small but profitable side business in coming years.
The Road Ahead.
Lubricants may not be glamorous, but they sit at the heart of every moving machine. As Africa continues to build roads, expand mining, and welcome millions of new vehicles, the demand will keep rising.
Over the next few years, experts expect local blending plants to expand, while better rules will encourage higher-quality oils. Environmental standards will push manufacturers toward cleaner formulations.
For Tanzania, this means opportunity. There is space for new blending facilities, training programs for mechanics, and even regional export. If investors and entrepreneurs look closely, they will find that something as simple as a one-liter bottle of oil could hold surprising power for growth.
