The Central Energy Fund (CEF), acting on behalf of the Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum (DMPR), has announced an official increase in fuel prices, effective from October 7, 2026. These changes apply to petrol and diesel fuel in South Africa.
According to the announcement, the price of petrol will increase by 3.12 Rand per liter for 93 ULP/LRP and by 3.33 Rand per liter for 95 ULP/LRP. Diesel fuel will become more expensive by 2.84 Rand per liter for 0.05% sulfur content fuel and by 3.24 Rand per liter for 0.005% sulfur content fuel. Additionally, retail kerosene will rise by 3.58 Rand per liter.
Despite crude oil costing $89 per barrel, prices remain high due to the ongoing confrontation between Iran and the United States. Fluctuations in oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz are reducing international reserves and increasing transportation costs.
Fuel prices in South Africa have shown significant volatility throughout the current year. This instability is driven by geopolitical tensions, fluctuations in global crude oil prices, and adjustments to the domestic levy per litre. The year began with relatively moderate costs, reaching a minimum in February, after which prices rose sharply in the autumn and winter months, with domestic 95 ULP rising from 20.30 Rand in March to a peak of 28.06 Rand per liter in June.
In July and August, there was a brief period of price decline; however, the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and the rise in global transport costs negated this relief by September. By the end of September, petrol prices recovered to 26.92 Rand per liter, and diesel fuel (0.005% sulfur) significantly increased to 30.05 Rand per liter, setting the stage for further sharp increases in the last quarter of the year.