Southern African fuel price variations

Fuel pricing in Southern Africa is being influenced by international oil market volatility, supply disruptions, and differing national taxation structures.

In Namibia, petrol prices were scheduled to rise to N$26.58 per litre following a surge in international refined petroleum costs, which the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy attributed to Middle East geopolitical tensions and shipping expenses. This increase placed Namibian petrol prices above those in Botswana, Zambia, Lesotho, and Eswatini.

In South Africa, motorists face higher costs compared to several neighbors, such as Botswana, where petrol is priced significantly lower due to different taxation and pricing mechanisms. While South Africa’s costs are driven by international prices and specific levies like the Road Accident Fund, other nations like Namibia utilize mechanisms such as a National Energy Fund to absorb import costs. Regional comparisons show that while most neighbors maintain lower prices, Zimbabwe remains an outlier with occasionally higher costs.