September fuel price shock looms for South Africa’s motorists
· The South African
South Africa’s motorists could face a sharp fuel price increase in September, with the latest Central Energy Fund (CEF) data showing significant under-recoveries across petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin.
The figures indicate a potential increase of around 90 cents per litre for 93 unleaded petrol and 101 cents for 95 petrol.
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The outlook is considerably worse for diesel users.
The data points to a possible increase of approximately R2.88 per litre for 0.05% diesel and R3.09 per litre for 0.005% diesel.
Illuminating paraffin is also tracking higher, with a potential increase of around R2.24 per litre.
These figures are not final and could still change before the official September fuel price announcement.
The CEF’s daily data is influenced by movements in international oil prices and the rand-US dollar exchange rate.
Diesel users face biggest hit
If the current projections were implemented, a motorist filling a 50-litre tank with 95 petrol would pay approximately R51 more than at current prices.
For 0.005% diesel, the same 50-litre tank could cost about R153.50 more.
The potential diesel increase would place additional pressure on transport operators, farmers, businesses and consumers, as diesel costs feed into the price of transporting goods and services.
The September outlook has subsequently deteriorated as international market conditions and currency movements pushed the CEF’s daily under-recoveries higher.
Motorists will have to wait until the end of the monthly review period for the final adjustment.
Any significant movement in oil prices or the rand during the remaining days of August could still soften or worsen the final September fuel price increase.
The new fuel prices are expected to come into effect at midnight on Tuesday, 1 September 2026.
Latest numbers
Below, the latest projections for September 2026 as received by The South African website from the Central Energy Fund (CEF):
FUEL PRICE IN SOUTH AFRICA IMPACTED BY TWO MAIN FACTORS:
1. The international price of petroleum products, driven mainly by oil prices
2. The rand/dollar exchange rate used in the purchase of these products
Oil priceAt the time of publishing the brent crude oil price is $89.34 a barrel.
Exchange rateAt the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R15.99/$