Petrol prices remain a major concern across Africa, affecting transportation costs and the cost of living. In some countries, motorists pay more than ₦2,700 per litre, with Malawi recording the continent’s highest price in October 2026, according to GlobalPetrolPrices.
Differences in fuel prices across the continent are influenced by factors such as import costs, transportation, exchange rates and government taxes and levies.
Here are the 10 African countries with the most expensive petrol prices.
1. Malawi – ₦4,358 per litre
Malawi ranks first, with petrol priced at $3.226 per litre, equivalent to approximately ₦4,358. As a landlocked country, it relies on fuel imports transported through neighbouring countries, adding to supply costs. Foreign-exchange constraints can also make imports more expensive and contribute to fuel supply difficulties.
2. Zimbabwe – ₦2,770 per litre
Zimbabwe ranks second, with petrol costing $2.050 per litre, or about ₦2,770. The country relies on imported refined petroleum products, leaving its fuel market exposed to exchange-rate movements and the cost of sourcing supplies from abroad.
3. Sierra Leone – ₦2,747 per litre
Sierra Leone has Africa’s third-highest petrol price, at $2.033 per litre, equivalent to approximately ₦2,747. The cost of importing and distributing fuel, alongside domestic pricing arrangements, influences the amount motorists pay at filling stations.
4. Cape Verde – ₦2,705 per litre
Cape Verde ranks fourth, with petrol priced at $2.002 per litre, or about ₦2,705. As an island country, it depends on fuel shipments, making shipping and distribution costs important factors in the price paid by consumers.
5. Rwanda – ₦2,689 per litre
Rwanda ranks fifth, with petrol costing $1.991 per litre, equivalent to approximately ₦2,689. The landlocked country imports petroleum products through regional supply routes linked to the ports of Mombasa in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Transporting fuel overland adds logistics costs to the supply chain.
6. Central African Republic – ₦2,657 per litre
The Central African Republic occupies sixth place, with petrol priced at $1.967 per litre, or about ₦2,657. Its landlocked geography and transport challenges can increase the cost of moving imported fuel to consumers.
7. South Africa – ₦2,457 per litre
South Africa ranks seventh, with petrol costing $1.819 per litre, equivalent to approximately ₦2,457. Pump prices are influenced by international petroleum-product prices, exchange-rate movements, taxes and government levies, which can affect the amount motorists pay.
8. Seychelles – ₦2,398 per litre
Seychelles ranks eighth, with petrol priced at $1.774 per litre, or about ₦2,398. As an island nation, it depends on imported fuel, leaving its market exposed to international price changes and shipping costs.
9. Lesotho – ₦2,357 per litre
Lesotho ranks ninth, with petrol costing $1.745 per litre, equivalent to approximately ₦2,357. The landlocked country relies on regional fuel supply arrangements, with transportation and distribution costs contributing to the final price.
10. Kenya – ₦2,344 per litre
Kenya completes the ranking, with petrol priced at $1.735 per litre, or about ₦2,344. Its pump prices are affected by the cost of importing petroleum products, exchange-rate movements and domestic fuel-pricing decisions.