As of May 2025, diesel prices in several African countries remain a significant concern, putting strain on economies, sectors, and people.
Considering initiatives to reduce costs, such as Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery’s price cuts, many African countries continue to confront the multifarious issues posed by high diesel costs.
Diesel is widely used in a variety of industries, including transportation, agriculture, and industry.
The average diesel price in Nigeria is ₦932.75 per litre, leading to higher operational costs for enterprises and increased living expenditures for people.
In South Africa, although diesel prices have decreased, dropping by 42 cents a litre for 0.05% sulphur diesel, the cost remains high, with inland prices at R18.90 per litre.
The implications of rising diesel prices are varied. For starters, greater transportation and manufacturing expenses lead to higher pricing for products and services, reducing consumer purchasing power.
Farmers are facing rising operating costs, which have an impact on food security.
Furthermore, manufacturing and other businesses are experiencing lower profitability, which may result in job losses and decreased economic production.
Despite being oil producers, many African countries lack significant refining capability, resulting in a dependency on imported refined goods.
This reliance exposes them to global market swings, which reduces the benefits of indigenous oil production.
With that said, here are the African countries that have the highest diesel costs in May, according to Global PetrolPrices, which currently lists the global average diesel price at 1.20 U.S. dollars per liter…
Compared to the top 10 countries that made the list last month, diesel prices for Compared to the top 10 countries that made the list last month, when the global average diesel price at 1.20 U.S. dollars per liter, this month, in line with the average price reduction to 1.17 U.S. Dollar per liter, diesel prices for the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Guinea, and Seychelles all saw marginal declines.
Prices for Malawi, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique remained the same.
Burundi and Senegal are new entrants on the list for the month, ousting Uganda and Mauritius from the 9th and 10th spots.
| Rank | Country | Diesel price | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Central Africa Republic | $2.117 | 5th |
| 2. | Malawi | $1.577 | 34th |
| 3. | Zimbabwe | $1.520 | 42nd |
| 4. | Cameroon | $1.402 | 46th |
| 5. | Sierra Leone | $1.392 | 47th |
| 6. | Seychelles | $1.390 | 48th |
| 7. | Guinea | $1.386 | 49th |
| 8. | Mozambique | $1.358 | 50th |
| 9. | Burundi | $1.337 | 53rd |
| 10. | Senegal | $1.279 | 60th |
--businessinsiderafrica--