South African motorists could soon breathe a sigh of relief as early indicators point to fuel price decreases in September 2025.
According to data from the Daily Fuel Price Report (26 August 2025), a combination of a stronger rand and declining international oil prices is driving an over-recovery across all fuel types – a key signal that pump prices may drop in the coming month.
Diesel and Petrol Set for Decreases
Fuel over-recoveries – the difference between expected and actual fuel prices – suggest reductions in both petrol and diesel.
The figures are as follows:
- Petrol 95: 3.690 cents/litre
- Petrol 93: 12.113 cents/litre
- Diesel 0.05%: 53.651 cents/litre
- Diesel 0.005%: 54.636 cents/litre
- Illuminating Paraffin: 36.517 cents/litre
These over-recoveries indicate that diesel users may benefit the most, with projected wholesale price cuts of over 50 cents per litre, should market conditions hold steady.
Favourable Market Conditions
The relief is largely due to:
- A stronger rand, recorded at R17.6533 to the US dollar on 26 August.
- Lower international product prices and Brent crude oil rates.
This environment has created the right conditions for price reductions, especially since local fuel costs are heavily influenced by global oil prices and currency movements.
Final Announcement Awaited
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is expected to officially confirm the adjusted fuel prices at the end of August.
The news will come as a welcome break for consumers and businesses alike, particularly as fuel prices have remained volatile throughout 2025.
Below, the latest projections as received by The South African website from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), effective Tuesday, 26 August.
| FUEL | PRICE CHANGE |
| Petrol 93 | decrease of 12 cents |
| Petrol 95 | decrease of 4 cents |
| Diesel 0.05% | decrease of 54 cents |
| Diesel 0.005% | decrease of 55 cents |
| Illuminating Paraffin | decrease of 37 cents |
If the market conditions were to remain consistent for the remainder of the month – an unlikely scenario with the rand/dollar exchange rate fluctuating and the oil price ever changing – a decrease of 12 cents is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and a decrease of four cents for 95 users.
Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something between a 54 and 55 cents per litre decrease.
Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to drop by 37 cents in price.
FUEL PRICE IN SOUTH AFRICA IMPACTED BY TWO MAIN FACTORS:
1. The international price of petroleum products, driven mainly by oil prices
2. The rand/dollar exchange rate used in the purchase of these products
Oil price
At the time of publishing the brent crude oil price is $67.01 a barrel.
Exchange rate
At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R17.71/$.
The final overall price changes for both petrol and diesel will be confirmed early next month with the new prices taking effect at midnight on Tuesday, 2 September 2025.
Go easy on the accelerator until then, Mzansi.
The current August 2025 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):
| INLAND | August |
| Petrol 93 | R21.51 |
| Petrol 95 | R21.59 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R20.00 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R20.04 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R13.47 |
| COASTAL | August |
| Petrol 93 | R20.72 |
| Petrol 95 | R20.76 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R19.17 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R19.28 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R12.46 |
How much do you spend on fuel per month on average?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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