Fuel prices play a big role in South Africa. They affect your household budget, the price of food, and of course, the cost of transport. When fuel prices go up, you’ll have to stretch your money further anyway you can. When they go down, we usually feel a bit of relief in SA.
Knowing what the fuel price is can help to budget for these everyday expenses. Changes happen often, and these are important to take note of. So, Cartrack has created this up to date blog to help you know what the latest fuel prices are, whether you want to know for yourself, your fleet company, or your own pricing changes.
In September 2025, the government made small cuts to fuel prices. Petrol went down by a few cents, and diesel dropped by a little more. It wasn’t a huge change, but it gives us all some relief after months of higher costs.
Here’s a breakdown:
Right now, petrol is selling for just over R21 per litre inland, and diesel is just under R20. These prices shift each month, depending on the global oil market and how strong or weak the Rand is against the US Dollar. Here’s a more detailed look:
For October 2025, early forecasts show that petrol might go up slightly, while diesel will likely drop a little bit more. So, if you drive a petrol car you could pay a few cents extra per litre. On the other hand, if you rely on diesel you could save some money (quite a lot if you own a fleet of trucks).
These changes may not sound like much, but they add up quickly when you fill your tank or run a business with lots of vehicles. If you’re an average consumer, you can expect the increase in petrol to have an inertia effect on our food prices (and other retail prices eventually).
Based on mid-month data, here’s what’s expected for October:
In 2024, fuel prices in South Africa moved up and down. There were some big cuts followed by sharp increases during 2024 until now. In 2025, the shifts have been relatively smaller, but they still affect your pocket in different ways. This back-and-forth shows how unpredictable fuel is. Everything from global oil prices to local exchange rates plays a role.
For example, a strong Rand makes fuel cheaper because it costs less to import oil. On the other hand, when global oil prices rise, even a strong Rand might not prevent petrol and diesel from going up.
Looking at 2024 and now in 2025, it’s clear that South Africans can’t always predict exactly how much they’ll pay for fuel. That’s why staying updated every month helps you plan your spending, avoid surprises, and make smarter choices about when and how much to drive.
Fuel prices in South Africa are higher compared to some nearby countries like Namibia and Botswana. Other African countries that produce their own oil often pay less because of government subsidies. For us here in SA, the cost stays high because of taxes, transport costs, and the fact that most of our fuel is imported.
Here’s a breakdown of some fuel prices in our neighbouring countries:
When fuel gets more expensive, food prices usually go up too. That’s because most goods in South Africa travel by road, and trucks run on diesel. Farmers also need diesel to run their equipment, so you can see where the increases in fuel affect your grocery bill.
When diesel prices climb, farmers and transport companies spend more. They often pass those costs on to you, which is why you see higher prices on everyday items at the shops. Small price changes may not feel huge, but they do have a domino effect.
When fuel rises, inflation increases too. This hits low-income households in SA the hardest, because they already spend most of their money on the basics like bread, milk and meat. That’s why many people across the world and internally are saying that South Africa needs a long-term plan to curb these high prices.
One solution? Switching to renewable energy like solar, wind, and electric cars could make the country less dependent on oil and protect you from global price shocks in the future.
Cartrack can help companies struggling with rising fuel costs by providing the information they need to use and waste less fuel. Using fuel sensors and other hardware devices, together with our fuel management software, Cartrack helps you track your fuel across your entire fleet—regardless of its size.
Here’s how we do it,
Fuel sensors show you EXACTLY how much fuel each of your vehicles is using. You’ll be able to identify wastage immediately, and take steps to curb that wastage. This is a perfect fuel-saving solution for large fleets as well as smaller ones. In fact, even if you have only one vehicle, this is worth investing in to save on your overheads.
It’s so important for company fleet managers to identify habits like speeding, harsh braking, or idling. These habits increase fuel consumption, so coaching your drivers out of them can save you a lot in the long run.
Knowledge is power! When you get data, you can act from a more knowledgeable base instead of having to guess. Detailed reports help you to plan routes, schedules, and refuelling more efficiently.
Fuel fraud is another woe fleet managers face. It can be done in various ways, and it always cuts into your business’ profits. With Cartrack, you can detect unauthorised fuel use quickly with alerts from our fuel management system. You can access this from your PC at work, or your mobile phone if it’s after hours.
Cartrack analyses the data that’s been archived over time. We do this to help you make decisions that reduce overall fuel spend. If our smart, AI-driven fuel management software picks up a discrepancy, you’ll be the first to hear about it.
There’s nothing we can do about fuel prices going up. But we can help you use less fuel. If you’d like to know how this fuel management software works, contact a consultant today and book a free demo.
Fuel price changes can affect interest rates because they change how much it costs to run your life and business. If fuel prices rise a lot, the Reserve Bank might increase interest rates to keep inflation under control. Lower fuel prices can lead the government to lower the rates to help the economy grow.
The South African government wants to make sure your fuel supply is safe and steady. They work with big oil companies and give them long-term leases at key fuel hubs so you don’t run out. This helps prevent shortages and keeps your fuel flowing even in tough times.
The Basic Fuel Price, or BFP, sets the base cost of fuel before taxes and levies. It’s like the starting point for your petrol or diesel price at the pump. Changes in the BFP directly affect what you pay because it reflects global oil costs, exchange rates, and refinery costs.
Stay updated with the latest fuel prices in South Africa. Get current petrol and diesel rates, recent changes, and insights to plan your budget effectively.
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