South Africa’s fuel prices are getting a bump next week, and most drivers will feel it at the pumps. The changes kick in on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, after the monthly review that looks at what’s happening with oil prices around the world and the strength of the rand.
Here’s why the increases are happening:
- Crude oil prices climbed from an average of $64.08 to $69.08 per barrel. Higher shipping costs and worries about possible supply problems in the Middle East (thanks to tension between the US and Iran) pushed prices up.
- Refined product prices on the international market followed the same upward trend, adding extra cost to petrol, diesel and paraffin.
- Propane and butane prices also rose because of cold weather in the northern hemisphere and tighter global supplies.
- The rand actually got a little stronger (moving from R16.31 to R16.00 against the dollar), but the overall calculation still added a small upward push to the basic fuel price.
- The government’s slate levy stays at zero cents per litre because the current balance is positive.
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New prices from 4 March 2026:
- Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP) → +20 cents per litre
- Petrol 95 (ULP & LRP) → +20 cents per litre
- Diesel 0.05% sulphur → +62 cents per litre
- Diesel 0.005% sulphur → +65 cents per litre
- Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale) → +44 cents per litre
- SMNRP for paraffin → +58 cents per litre
- LPGas (maximum retail price) → +23 cents per kilogram
(In the Western Cape: +26 cents per kilogram)
The full price list for every magisterial district will be published tomorrow, 3 March.
So if you’re filling up this week, maybe top up before Wednesday – every cent counts!