As fuel prices continue to shape household budgets and transport costs across Africa, motorists entered 2026 facing very different realities at the pump.
In some countries, petrol still costs just a few cents per litre thanks to heavy government subsidies.
In others, drivers are paying well above the global average as states shift the burden fully onto consumers.
Based on petrol prices recorded in January 2026, here is a look at Africa’s cheapest fuel markets, followed by how South Africa, Zimbabwe and their neighbours compare.
Africa’s 10 cheapest fuel markets (January 2026)
| Rank | Country | Petrol price (USD/litre) | Price (ZAR/litre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Libya | $0.03 | ~R0.49 |
| 2 | Angola | $0.33 | ~R5.44 |
| 3 | Algeria | $0.36 | ~R5.94 |
| 4 | Egypt | $0.45 | ~R7.42 |
| 5 | Nigeria | $0.54 | ~R8.90 |
| 6 | Sudan | $0.70 | ~R11.54 |
| 7 | Ethiopia | $0.79 | ~R13.02 |
| 8 | Tunisia | $0.81 | ~R13.35 |
| 9 | Liberia | $0.83 | ~R13.68 |
| 10 | Niger | $0.84 | ~R13.85 |
Libya remains Africa’s undisputed fuel-price outlier.
With petrol selling at just three US cents per litre, it also ranks among the cheapest fuel markets in the world.
Other oil-producing countries, particularly in North and West Africa, continue to dominate the lower end of the price scale.
Where does South Africa stand?
South Africa does not feature among Africa’s cheapest fuel markets.
At the start of 2026, petrol prices hovered around $1.06 per litre, placing the country outside the continental top 20.
While South African motorists pay less than drivers in a handful of African states, fuel remains far more expensive than in oil-rich nations.
Southern Africa fuel: How neighbours compare
Southern Africa remains one of the most expensive fuel regions on the continent, largely because most countries depend on imports and offer limited or no subsidies.
| Rank | Country | Price (USD/litre) | Price (ZAR/litre)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lesotho | ~$0.99 | ~R16.34 |
| 2 | Botswana | ~$1.01 | ~R16.67 |
| 3 | Eswatini | ~$1.03 | ~R17.00 |
| 4 | South Africa | ~$1.06 | ~R17.49 |
| 5 | Namibia | ~$1.08 | ~R17.82 |
| 6 | Mozambique | ~$1.10 | ~R18.15 |
| 7 | Zimbabwe | ~$1.16 | ~R19.14 |
Zimbabwe ranks among Africa’s more expensive fuel markets, reflecting full cost recovery, taxes, and near-total reliance on imports.
Even countries with port access, such as Mozambique, continue to struggle with high prices.
Africa’s fuel price divide remains stark.
Countries with oil reserves and strong subsidies dominate the cheapest rankings, while Southern African nations, pay some of the highest prices at the pump.
