South African motorists enjoyed some welcome relief at the fuel pumps in early February, but the latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) suggests that diesel vehicle owners may be in for a rude shock next month.
Last week, motorists saw petrol prices drop by 65 cents per litre, while while diesel prices decreased by between 50 and 57 cents per litre.
The cuts offered a much-needed reprieve for consumers after months of fluctuating fuel costs.
Latest forecast
As things stand at the time of publishing, petrol is due to decrease by 6 or 7 cents in March (depending on the grade), while diesel will rise by 44 to 47 cents per litre.
Below, the latest projections as received by The South African website from the Central Energy Fund (CEF):
| FUEL | PRICE CHANGE |
| Petrol 93 | decrease of 7 cents |
| Petrol 95 | decrease of 6 cents |
| Diesel 0.05% | increase of 44 cents |
| Diesel 0.005% | increase of 47 cents |
| Illuminating Paraffin | increase of 21 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 7 cents per litre is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and a decrease of 6 cents for 95 users is anticipated.
Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something between a 44 and 47 cents per litre increase.
Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to rise by 21 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 $69.24 a barrel.
Exchange rate
At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R15.96/$.
The final overall price changes for both petrol and diesel will be confirmed later in the month with the new prices taking effect at midnight on Tuesday, 3 March.
The current February 2026 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):
| INLAND | February |
| Petrol 93 | R19.99 |
| Petrol 95 | R20.10 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R17.91 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R17.95 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R11.93 |
| COASTAL | February |
| Petrol 93 | R19.20 |
| Petrol 95 | R19.27 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R17.08 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R17.19 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R10.92 |
