Petrol prices in South Africa are set to reach near-record highs while diesel could breach R30 per litre for the first time — here is what is driving the crisis and what it means for your wallet.
The petrol price increase takes effect at midnight on Wednesday, 2 April 2026 — the first Wednesday of the month, which is when South Africa’s regulated fuel price is adjusted. Mark that date. For millions of motorists across the country, it marks the beginning of a new and painful financial reality.
How much is the petrol price increase for April 2026?
The April 2026 petrol price increase is one of the steepest on record. According to the latest unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF):
- 93 Unleaded petrol increases by approximately R5.32 per litre
- 95 Unleaded petrol increases by approximately R5.82 per litre
95 Unleaded currently costs R19.47 at the coast and R20.30 in Gauteng, where the cheaper 93 Unleaded retails at R20.19. After the increase, motorists inland can expect to pay around R26.33 for 95 Unleaded and around R25.71 for 93 Unleaded. At the coast, 95 Unleaded is expected to come in at approximately R25.50 per litre.
For context, petrol hit highs of R25.68 in 2023, R25.49 in 2024, and R22.34 in 2025 — meaning April 2026 is edging dangerously close to record territory.
What about the diesel price increase?
The diesel price increase for April 2026 is where the real shock lies. Diesel looks set to increase by between R10.13 in the case of 500ppm and R10.27 for the cleaner 50ppm.
The scale of the diesel gap carries broader economic implications because diesel powers South Africa’s freight, mining, and logistics sectors, meaning a large adjustment feeds through directly to the cost of goods and services.
The wholesale price of diesel is currently listed at R17.84 at the coast and R18.60 inland, but retail margins generally add between R2 and R3 to those totals — meaning some motorists could see diesel prices nudging above R30 per litre for the first time in South Africa’s history.
Critically, unlike petrol, diesel is an unregulated fuel. Stations can adjust diesel prices at any time during the month, and many have done so this week in anticipation of the large increase.
What is causing the fuel price increase in South Africa?
Two forces have collided to produce this crisis.
First, global oil prices have surged dramatically. The primary contributor to the surge in prices is the escalating conflict in the Middle East following US and Israeli military strikes on Iran on February 28. Iran’s subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz removed a large proportion of global crude supply from the market. The price of Brent Crude oil has surged by around 38% between the previous and current fuel price review periods — oil averaged $69 per barrel during the February review period, while the average price of Brent in March is estimated to be around $95.
Second, the rand-dollar exchange rate, trading at R16.87, has amplified the impact in local currency terms. South Africa is heavily exposed to both variables: the country now refines less than 35% of the fuel it consumes domestically after the 2022 closure of several refineries, meaning it is almost entirely at the mercy of the global oil market.
Budget taxes adding to the fuel price pain
On top of the global oil price shock, from 1 April South Africans will be paying an additional 21 cents per litre in fuel taxes, following increases to the General Fuel Levy (9 cents), Carbon Levy (5 cents), and Road Accident Fund Levy (7 cents) — all of which were announced in Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s 2026 Budget Speech.
Will the government intervene?
Calls for government relief have grown louder by the day. The DA has called for a 50% reduction in the fuel levy, warning that South Africa is facing a sharp and immediate fuel price shock. DA finance spokesperson Mark Burke said he has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Minister of Finance requesting urgent intervention on fuel price relief and fuel supply security.
The DA acknowledged that halving the fuel levy would reduce revenue by about R6.5 billion a month, but argued the economic cost of not intervening would be significantly higher.
A Cabinet committee was established last week to evaluate the fuel price impact. However, no relief measures had been officially announced as of the time of publication. The official fuel price adjustments for April are expected to be confirmed by the government early this week.
What does this mean for everyday South Africans?
The immediate hit is at the forecourt. A motorist with a standard 60-litre tank will pay approximately R360 more to fill up. But the pain does not stop there.
South Africa moves over 80% of its freight by road. Because diesel is the lifeblood of the logistics industry, a massive R8+ hike means transport companies have a choice: absorb the cost or pass it on. That cost inevitably lands on food, household goods, and everyday essentials.
Taxi and bus associations have already warned of fare increases. For commuters who spend 40% of their salary on transport, these hikes could push that figure over 50%. Uber and Bolt drivers, already struggling with thin margins, are warning that without fare adjustments, they simply cannot afford to stay on the road.
Making matters worse, 1 April is also the day Eskom’s new 8.76% tariff hike takes effect. For the average household, being hit by record-high fuel prices and higher electricity bills simultaneously creates a “triple shock” that erodes almost all disposable income.
What does it mean for inflation and interest rates?
The South African Reserve Bank is in a tough spot. High fuel costs are driving up inflation, making interest rate cuts — previously expected in mid-2026 — highly unlikely. For South Africans banking on relief through lower borrowing costs this year, the April fuel price hike may have just pushed that lifeline further out of reach.
Should you panic buy?
No. The government has reiterated that the country’s fuel supply remains stable in the immediate term, saying: “There is no basis for panic buying.” The government added that calls for the public to rush to the pumps are irresponsible and place unnecessary pressure on supply systems.
That said, if you drive diesel, it makes sense to fill up before midnight on Tuesday, 1 April — because the new, higher price kicks in from Wednesday.
Fuel price data sourced from the Central Energy Fund (CEF). Final April 2026 price adjustments are subject to official government announcement. Diesel pump prices vary by retailer as diesel remains an unregulated fuel in South Africa.