South Africa ranks among Africa’s 10 most expensive diesel markets

Johannesburg – Malawi has emerged as the African country with the highest diesel prices in August 2026, with motorists paying about $3.38 per litre, according to data from GlobalPetrolPrices.

The figures, published in August and cited by Business Insider Africa, show that diesel prices vary sharply across the continent, reflecting differences in taxation, subsidies, import costs, exchange rates and national fuel-pricing policies.

Malawi leads African rankings

Malawi tops the list at $3.381 per litre, followed by the Central African Republic at $2.898.

Rwanda ranks third at $2.215 per litre, while Zimbabwe is fourth at $2.110. Mozambique rounds out the top five at $2.033 per litre.

The remaining countries in the top 10 are Seychelles ($1.928), South Africa ($1.814), Uganda ($1.770), Lesotho ($1.750) and Eswatini ($1.673).

The data highlights the significant differences in the cost of diesel across African economies, with Malawi’s price almost twice that of Eswatini.

Fuel costs put pressure on economies

Diesel prices are particularly important for African economies because the fuel is widely used by freight companies, farmers, construction firms, mining operations and public transport operators.

Higher diesel prices can therefore feed into the cost of transporting goods and services, potentially putting additional pressure on food prices and household budgets.

According to data from GlobalPetrolPrices, which tracks retail fuel prices across countries using official data sources, diesel prices are influenced by international oil prices as well as domestic factors including taxes, subsidies and government pricing policies.

The rankings come as international energy markets remain volatile, with geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global supply chains continuing to influence crude oil and refined fuel prices.

South Africa among Africa’s most expensive diesel markets

South Africa ranked seventh on the continental list, with diesel costing approximately $1.814 per litre in August.

The country has since faced another sharp increase in fuel prices. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced that diesel prices would rise by between R2.94 and R3.15 per litre from 2 September 2026, while petrol prices increased by R1.34 per litre.

The latest increases have been linked to higher international oil prices, with the department citing geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions and higher shipping costs.

For countries heavily dependent on road transport and diesel-powered economic activity, sustained increases in fuel costs could have wider consequences for businesses and consumers.