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Fuel prices remain one of the most critical indicators of the cost of living across Africa, influencing transportation costs, inflation, and overall household spending.
As of April 2026, the latest comparative data from Global Petrol Prices highlights significant disparities in petrol prices across the continent.
The rankings are based on national average retail prices for octane-95 gasoline, offering a clear snapshot of how different governments approach fuel subsidies, taxation, and broader energy market regulations.
Compiled from data updated as of April 6, 2026, the figures underscore the complex mix of factors shaping fuel pricing in Africa—including subsidy regimes, domestic oil production capacity, geopolitical developments, and ongoing economic reforms.
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According to Global Petrol Prices, a widely referenced database tracking energy costs in more than 150 countries and over 250 cities, the data provides a reliable benchmark for comparison. However, actual pump prices may still vary within countries due to differences in distribution costs, geographic location, and supplier pricing structures.
Across the continent, a clear pattern emerges: countries with strong state intervention or substantial oil resources tend to maintain lower fuel prices. In contrast, nations undergoing subsidy reforms or grappling with supply disruptions often experience higher prices and greater volatility.
Beyond domestic policies, global geopolitical tensions continue to exert upward pressure on fuel prices. In particular, rising instability around the Strait of Hormuz—a critical corridor for global crude oil shipments—has heightened market uncertainty.
Ongoing tensions involving Iran, United States, and Israel have further amplified concerns over potential supply disruptions.
Given that a significant share of the world’s oil passes through this route, any escalation in conflict can trigger sharp increases in crude oil prices.
Historically, tensions in the Middle East have led to notable spikes in global oil prices, affecting supply forecasts, investor confidence, and ultimately, retail fuel costs in markets across Africa and beyond.
Here are 10 African countries with the cheapest petrol prices in April 2026.
Gabon– $1.048/litre
The price of octane-95 gasoline stands at 595 CFA francs per liter, significantly below the global average of 837.56 CFA francs.
Gabon’s relatively moderate fuel price is largely sustained by government subsidies. In November 2025, authorities postponed plans to remove these subsidies until at least 2026, citing concerns over inflation and social stability.
The subsidy program, which cost approximately 110 billion CFA francs ($180 million) in 2024, plays a crucial role in shielding consumers from global price shocks.
However, this policy comes at a fiscal cost, and long-term sustainability remains a concern as global oil markets fluctuate.
Ethiopia– $0.902/liter
Ethiopia’s fuel pricing dynamics continue to reflect a delicate balance between state control and growing economic pressures.
The price of octane-95 gasoline currently stands at 142 Ethiopian Birr per liter, significantly below the global average of 232.32 Birr per liter for the same period.
Despite this relative affordability, many citizens continue to grapple with the ripple effects of global disruptions, particularly the ongoing Middle East crisis, which has triggered fuel supply constraints and driven up the cost of essential goods.
In response, the Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration recently approved upward adjustments in the retail prices of gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and jet fuel. The move reflects the government’s effort to manage supply challenges and rising import costs. At the same time, authorities have initiated emergency fuel imports and begun releasing products from strategic reserves to stabilize domestic supply.
Ethiopia’s fuel market remains heavily shaped by state intervention, especially in price regulation and foreign exchange allocation. This approach has historically helped keep pump prices lower than in many comparable African economies. However, it has also necessitated periodic price reviews to ease fiscal strain and align with global oil market realities.
Throughout 2025, the government implemented a series of incremental price increases as part of a broader reform agenda. By December 10, 2025, gasoline prices had climbed to 129.12 Birr per liter, marking a 5.8 percent rise from May 2025 levels. Earlier in the year, petrol was priced at 101.47 Birr per liter, while diesel and kerosene sold for 98.98 Birr per liter, following an earlier adjustment of about 10 percent in October 2024.
These gradual increases are tied to subsidy reductions, persistent foreign exchange shortages, and a cautious shift toward partial market liberalization. With this trajectory, analysts expect fuel prices in Ethiopia to continue trending upward, potentially intensifying pressure on household incomes and contributing to higher transportation and commodity costs across the economy.
Nigeria– $0.887/liter
Nigeria’s fuel pricing landscape continues to evolve in the wake of sweeping reforms and shifting global market dynamics.
The price of octane-95 gasoline currently stands at N1,227.25 per liter, compared to a global average of N2,040.51 per liter for the same period.
Despite recent increases, Nigeria still maintains relatively lower fuel prices than many African peers, largely due to its vast crude oil reserves and gradually improving domestic refining capacity.
Prices have risen significantly since the removal of long-standing fuel subsidies in 2023, a policy shift aimed at easing fiscal pressure and encouraging market efficiency. However, the transition has also exposed consumers to global oil price volatility and exchange rate fluctuations.
In late March, the Dangote Refinery announced a reduction in its ex-gantry petrol price to N1,200 per liter, signaling a slight easing in its pricing structure. The adjustment comes amid ongoing volatility in international oil markets, largely influenced by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The latest price cut follows a series of upward revisions earlier in the month, reflecting the refinery’s responsiveness to changes in crude oil prices and broader market conditions:
Petrol price increased from N1,175 per liter on March 13 to N1,245 per liter on March 20.
It was further raised to N1,275 per liter on March 21 before the recent downward adjustment.
These fluctuations demonstrate the emerging reality of a more market-driven pricing regime in Nigeria, where domestic pump prices are increasingly tied to global oil trends and local supply dynamics. While improved refining capacity—particularly from the Dangote Refinery—offers hope for greater price stability, consumers are likely to continue experiencing periodic adjustments in line with market forces.
Niger– $0.878/liter
The price of octane-95 gasoline in Niger is currently 499 West African CFA francs per liter, significantly lower than the global average of 838.57 CFA francs per liter for the same period.
Despite being a landlocked country with limited domestic refining capacity and a strong reliance on imported petroleum products, Niger has managed to keep fuel prices relatively affordable.
This is largely due to regional supply arrangements and targeted government interventions designed to shield consumers from the full impact of global oil price volatility.
The current pricing structure follows a downward adjustment introduced in 2024, when authorities reduced fuel prices as part of broader efforts to ease economic hardship and rising living costs. This intervention came after a period of political and economic instability that had placed additional strain on households and businesses.
Since then, the government has maintained a controlled pricing regime aimed at supporting key segments of the economy, including transport operators and small enterprises. While global energy prices continue to fluctuate, Niger’s approach reflects a deliberate policy choice to prioritize domestic economic stability over full market liberalization.
Tunisia– $0.858/liter
The average price of gasoline in Tunisia during the period under review stands at TND 2.15 per liter, with a historical low of TND 1.57 recorded on April 25, 2016, and a peak of TND 2.53 on November 28, 2022.
Although fuel prices have trended upward in recent years, Tunisia still ranks among the more affordable markets in North Africa, particularly when compared to countries without significant subsidy frameworks.
Fuel pricing in the country remains under government control and is supported by subsidies, with authorities opting for gradual, periodic adjustments rather than full market liberalisation. This approach is designed to balance the need for fiscal sustainability with the social sensitivity surrounding fuel price increases.
Over the years, the government has implemented multiple price hikes—sometimes several within a single year—largely in response to rising global oil prices and mounting subsidy costs. In 2022, for instance, petrol prices were adjusted repeatedly as part of efforts to contain the growing fiscal burden associated with fuel subsidies.
These pricing decisions are also tied to Tunisia’s ongoing reform commitments with the International Monetary Fund, particularly under subsidy reform programmes that began around 2016. The reforms aim to gradually reduce subsidy dependence while aligning domestic fuel prices more closely with international market realities, without triggering sharp economic shocks.
Sudan– $0.700/liter
The price of octane-95 gasoline in Sudan currently stands at 630 Sudanese pounds per liter, well below the global average of 1,327.56 Sudanese pounds per liter for the same period.
In 2021, the Sudanese government, through its Ministry of Finance, implemented a full liberalisation of gasoline and diesel prices. The policy ended the long-standing system of fixed, subsidised fuel pricing and introduced a market-based structure designed to reflect actual import costs.
The reform marked a major shift in the country’s energy policy, aimed at reducing fiscal pressures and improving transparency within the sector.
However, the outbreak of conflict in April 2023 has severely disrupted Sudan’s energy landscape. The ongoing crisis has damaged critical infrastructure, fractured supply chains, and led to widespread fuel shortages across the country.
In recent months, the situation has worsened into a full-blown fuel crisis. Long queues of vehicles are now common at the limited number of operational filling stations, reflecting the deep strain on supply.
On the parallel market, prices have surged dramatically. As of early April 2026, a gallon of gasoline sells for დაახლოებით 30,000 Sudanese pounds (about $8.69), a sharp increase from 18,000 pounds recorded less than a week earlier. This rapid escalation highlights the growing gap between official pricing and real market conditions, further compounding economic hardship for households and businesses.
Egypt– $0.439/liter
Octane-95 gasoline prices in Egypt have shown a clear upward trend over the past decade, reflecting ongoing reforms in the country’s energy sector. Between April 25, 2016, and April 6, 2026, the average price stood at EGP 10.50 per liter, with a low of EGP 6.25 in April 2016 and a peak of EGP 24.00 recorded on March 9, 2026.
Since 2016, Egypt has pursued a gradual restructuring of its fuel subsidy regime under a reform programme supported by the International Monetary Fund. The policy shift has involved periodic price adjustments aimed at aligning domestic fuel prices more closely with global market realities while reducing pressure on public finances.
Despite these increases, fuel prices in Egypt remain relatively affordable compared to many countries in the region and globally, largely due to the government’s controlled pricing framework.
In October 2025, authorities announced another round of fuel price hikes, as published in the official gazette. This marked the second adjustment within the year and underscored the government’s continued commitment to subsidy reduction and fiscal consolidation.
The October increase ranged between 10.5 percent and 12.9 percent across various petroleum products, following an earlier adjustment of nearly 15 percent in April 2025. These successive hikes highlight Egypt’s steady, phased approach to reform—balancing economic sustainability with the need to manage the social impact of rising energy costs.
Algeria – $0.354/liter
Octane-95 gasoline prices in Algeria have remained relatively stable over the past decade, underpinned by strong state intervention and domestic energy capacity. Between May 2, 2016, and April 6, 2026, the average price stood at DZD 43.03 per liter, with a low of DZD 31.42 recorded in May 2016 and a peak of DZD 47.00 in January 2026.
For years, Algeria has maintained some of the lowest fuel prices globally, supported by extensive government subsidies, robust oil and gas production, and limited exposure to international price volatility. This policy framework has helped shield consumers from global market shocks while ensuring relatively affordable energy costs domestically.
However, on January 1, 2026, the government introduced a surprise and largely unannounced increase in fuel prices, reflecting mounting pressures from rising production and distribution costs. Under the new pricing structure, gasoline was adjusted to DZD 47 per liter, while diesel rose to DZD 31 per liter. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices were also increased, although all remain significantly below global averages.
The adjustment prompted brief, localized transport strikes and minor logistical disruptions, as businesses and transport operators recalibrated to the new pricing environment. Despite this, Algeria’s fuel prices continue to rank among the most affordable worldwide, even as the government takes cautious steps toward easing subsidy burdens.
Angola– $0.327/liter
The price of octane-95 gasoline in Angola is currently 300 Angolan Kwanza per liter, significantly lower than the global average of 1,352.63 Kwanza per liter for the same period.
Despite its status as a major oil producer, fuel pricing in Angola remains a highly sensitive issue, shaped by the country’s economic realities and social pressures. In July 2025, a proposed increase in fuel prices sparked widespread unrest, leading to two days of protests and looting in the capital, Luanda.
The clashes resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people, marking one of the most serious episodes of civil disturbance in recent years.
The crisis was triggered by a strike organised by taxi drivers in response to the July 1 fuel price hike. The protests quickly escalated, reflecting broader public frustration in a country where, despite vast oil wealth, a significant portion of the population continues to face economic hardship.
In the aftermath of the unrest, the government adopted a more cautious stance. By September 2025, authorities announced that there were no immediate plans to further increase gasoline prices, prioritising social stability while continuing to weigh the fiscal challenges associated with maintaining fuel subsidies.
Libya– $0.023/liter
The price of octane-95 gasoline in Libya stands at just 0.15 Libyan dinar per liter, compared with a global average of 9.42 Libyan dinar per liter for the same period.
This extremely low pricing is driven by long-standing government subsidies that keep domestic fuel costs among the lowest in the world. However, the policy has also created significant structural challenges within the country’s fuel distribution system.
Despite abundant crude oil production, Libya continues to experience chronic fuel shortages. The wide price gap between domestic fuel and prices in neighbouring countries has fueled large-scale smuggling activities, with estimates suggesting that up to 30% of imported fuel is diverted across borders for resale in higher-priced markets.
These dynamics have intensified policy debates around subsidy reform, with authorities increasingly considering gradual adjustments to reduce fiscal losses and improve efficiency in fuel distribution.
At the same time, the government faces persistent operational constraints, including aging refinery infrastructure, security concerns, and disruptions linked to ongoing political instability. Together, these factors continue to undermine supply reliability, even in a country with substantial oil reserves.
