Official figures — September 2026. These are the confirmed prices published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), effective Wednesday, 2 September 2026. Petrol 93 and 95 both rose 134 c/l, diesel 500ppm rose 294 c/l, diesel 50ppm rose 315 c/l and illuminating paraffin rose 213 c/l. The previous official prices took effect on 5 August 2026.
Quick Answer: South Africa Fuel Price Updates for 2026
South Africa’s fuel prices are regulated monthly by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (formerly DMRE). Prices are adjusted on the first Wednesday of each month based on international crude oil benchmarks, international product prices, and the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate. Following mid-year fluctuations driven by global geopolitical tensions and levy adjustments, official September 2026 prices set 95 Unleaded Petrol at R26.92 per litre inland (R26.05 coastal) and 93 Unleaded Petrol at R26.76 per litre inland (R25.97 coastal). Wholesale Diesel 50ppm stands at R29.56 per litre inland (R28.68 coastal).
Overview of Current Fuel Prices in South Africa (2026)
Fuel costs remain one of the most critical monthly expenses for South African households, businesses, and transport operators. Because South Africa imports a large portion of its refined fuel and crude oil, domestic pump prices directly reflect shifts in global energy markets and currency movements.
The table below outlines the latest official fuel prices per litre in South Africa:
| Fuel Type | Inland Price (Gauteng, FS, NW) | Coastal Price (Cape Town, Durban, PE) | Recent Monthly Shift |
| Petrol 93 Unleaded | R26.76 / L | R25.97 / L | Decreased by 52c/L |
| Petrol 95 Unleaded | R26.92 / L | R26.05 / L | Decreased by 52c/L |
| Diesel 50ppm (0.005% S)(Wholesale) | R29.56 / L | R28.68 / L | Increased by R1.23/L |
| Diesel 500ppm (0.05% S)(Wholesale) | R26.16 / L | R25.29 / L | Increased by R1.38/L |
| Illuminating Paraffin(Wholesale) | R20.37 / L | R19.35 / L | Increased by R2.13/L |
| LP Gas (per kg) | R36.70 / kg | R34.20 / kg | Decreased by R4.41/kg |
What Determines Fuel Price Movements in South Africa?
Monthly adjustments to South African petrol and diesel prices are governed by the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) formula alongside domestic taxes and levies. The primary factors causing price shifts include:
- International Crude Oil Prices (Brent Crude): When global crude oil prices rise, the cost of refined petroleum products increases worldwide, leading to an under-recovery (price deficit) at domestic pumps. Conversely, lower oil prices create an over-recovery (price surplus).
- Rand vs. US Dollar Exchange Rate: Because international petroleum products are traded in US Dollars, a weakening Rand increases import costs, pushing fuel prices up. A stronger Rand provides relief.
- The Slate Levy Mechanism: The Slate Levy is a self-adjusting buffer mechanism used by the government to compensate fuel wholesalers for cumulative under-recoveries. When the cumulative slate account balance falls deep into negative territory, the Slate Levy is increased; when the balance improves, the levy is lowered to grant motorists relief.
- Domestic Taxes and Fixed Levies: Fuel prices in South Africa carry fixed components, including the General Fuel Levy (GFL), Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy, transport tariffs, and retail margin fees.
Why Is Petrol More Expensive Inland Than at the Coast?
Motorists in Johannesburg or Pretoria consistently pay more per litre for petrol than drivers in Cape Town or Durban. This price gap exists because:
- Inland Transport Tariffs: Refined fuel imported or produced along the coast must be transported inland to high-demand regions via pipelines and rail networks operated by Transnet.
- Zone Margins: The DMRE adds a zone differential tariff to cover pipeline and distribution costs, making inland petrol roughly 75c to 87c per litre higher than coastal rates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How often do fuel prices change in South Africa?
Fuel prices are updated once a month, effective from 00:01 on the first Wednesday of every calendar month. Adjustments are announced early in the week by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
2. Why is retail diesel pricing not uniform across all filling stations?
Unlike petrol, which has a strictly regulated maximum retail price, diesel prices in South Africa are only regulated at the wholesale level. Service stations set their own retail margins on diesel, which is why prices vary between different filling station brands and locations.
3. What is the Central Energy Fund (CEF) daily recovery rate?
The Central Energy Fund (CEF) tracks daily movements in the Rand/USD exchange rate and international product prices to calculate daily over-recovery or under-recovery rates. These daily snapshots provide mid-month forecasts of whether petrol and diesel prices are likely to drop or rise in the following month.
4. What is the Slate Levy and how does it affect fuel prices?
The Slate Levy is a temporary charge added to petrol and diesel to finance the Slate Account. When daily prices lag behind actual international costs, oil companies incur losses. The Slate Levy increases or decreases periodically to rebalance this fund.
5. What is the difference between 93 Unleaded and 95 Unleaded petrol?
The number represents the octane rating of the fuel. High-altitude inland areas (like Gauteng) have lower atmospheric pressure, allowing most naturally aspirated engines to run efficiently on 93 octane. Turbocharged and high-performance engines, as well as all coastal vehicles, require 95 octane to prevent engine knocking.
6. Where can motorists track upcoming fuel price predictions?
Motorists can track mid-month and month-end estimates published by the Central Energy Fund (CEF), the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa, and verified energy news updates before the official DMRE announcement.
Watch this SABC News report on South African fuel price changes
for an in-depth breakdown of how global market trends and government levies shape local pump prices.
This news video is directly relevant as it explains the key economic drivers, central energy fund projections, and levy adjustments behind fuel price movements in South Africa.