The new prices come into effect on Wednesday. Image: Moneyweb

SA fuel price drops to 4-year low

On lower oil price and rand strength.

by · Moneyweb

South Africa’s fuel price will fall to its lowest level in nearly four years following the global drop in crude and a stronger rand.

The retail price of 95 octane will decrease by 3% to R20.75 ($1.26) per litre in Gauteng province, the country’s economic hub, from 7 January, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said in an emailed statement on Sunday.

The wholesale price of diesel will decrease by at least 7%.

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Read: Rand jumps to three-year high [Jan 2026]

The rand gained more than 3% against the dollar in December, helping to bring down costs for the country that imports all of its crude.

With fuel directly accounting for almost 4% of South Africa’s inflation basket and indirectly affecting the cost of most consumer goods, the drop could lower expectations for price growth.

Read: Rand is losing its reputation for wild swings Lower inflation target set to reshape rand’s long-term path

Annual inflation slowed to 3.5% in November, boosting hopes for an interest rate cut later this month.

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