The price of a litre of petrol and diesel is to drop below E20.00 for the first time in almost 5 years.
A statement just released by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy reduces the prices of Unleaded Petrol, Diesel 50ppm S and Illuminating Paraffin will decrease by 70 cents per litre, respectively effective at midnight tomorrow (Thursday, 5th February, 2026).
Principal Secretary Lindiwe Mbingo says the price decrease is due to the ongoing decline in the value of the USA dollar, which averaged E16.32 in January, 2026 compared to E16.93 in December 2025.
The price decreased despite a slight increase in the world price of crude oil which climbed to an average of US$66 per barrel in January 2026, compared to an average of US$62 in December, 2025.
The new fuel prices will therefore be as follows:
- The new price for Unleaded Petrol (ULP95) is E19.45/l, down from E20.15/l.
- Diesel (0.005% S) now costs E19.85/l from E20.55/l.
- Illuminating now costs E14.20/l, down from E14.90/l.
The good news is that the price can be expected to reduce even further on the first week of March due to the continued depreciation of the US dollar which was trading at E15.92 this morning. This will continue to impact on the cost of living, including transport and food.
Jm/today/04.02.2026
