Top 10 Countries with the Cheapest Diesel Prices in Africa (May 2025)

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Transporters across Africa are constantly on the lookout for the cheapest diesel prices in a bid to rein in operational costs in the highly competitive world of trucking and logistics.

With diesel being one of the biggest expenses for any fleet operator or independent trucker, knowing where fuel is most affordable can have a significant impact on profitability.

Across the continent, diesel prices vary dramatically from one country to another, largely due to government intervention, whether through subsidies that lower prices or taxes that drive them up.

Identifying the countries with the lowest diesel costs isn’t just informative, it’s essential for budget-conscious transport operators navigating Africa’s diverse fuel pricing landscape.

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According to the latest data from GlobalPetrolPrices.com, Libya currently offers the cheapest diesel in Africa, while South Africa ranks 24th on the continent and 93rd globally, trailing far behind many North African countries.

Africa’s Top 10 Cheapest Diesel Prices – May 2025

These top 10 African countries benefit from diesel prices that are significantly below the global average, which currently hovers around R21.45 per litre.

In contrast, diesel in South Africa, costing an average of R21.48, is subject to multiple levies, which drive up costs and affect the competitiveness of the local logistics sector.

Why Are Diesel Prices So Different Across Africa?

Although crude oil is traded globally at relatively uniform rates, the price consumers pay at the pump varies due to national policies, especially regarding subsidies and taxation.

Countries like Libya, Algeria, and Egypt offer diesel at significantly reduced prices thanks to strong state subsidies.

These subsidies are often part of broader economic strategies aimed at supporting industrial growth, reducing transport costs, and easing the burden on citizens.

In contrast, South Africa’s fuel pricing structure is shaped by a blend of international factors and domestic levies, including:

• Basic Fuel Price (BFP): This reflects the cost of importing refined fuel to South Africa, including shipping, insurance, and transport.
• General Fuel Levy: A fixed amount collected by the government per litre, contributing to the national budget.
• Road Accident Fund Levy (RAF): A form of insurance that supports victims of road crashes.
• Slate Levy: Adjusts for over- or under-recoveries from previous fuel pricing periods.
• Wholesale & Retail Margins: Include distribution, storage, and retailer markups.

Together, these components inflate the pump price well beyond what’s seen in heavily subsidised African nations.

Diesel Price Context: Libya vs South Africa

To truly grasp the gap, consider this: In Libya, a trip of 1200 km, such as Durban to Johannesburg and back, which takes around 600 litres, would cost a transporter only R300.

Meanwhile, the same R300 in South Africa might only get you 14 litres, barely enough to get a loaded truck out of Durban’s city limits.

What This Means for South African Truckers

For transporters, diesel remains one of the highest recurring costs. While neighbouring countries like Botswana and Namibia have diesel prices similar to or slightly lower than South Africa’s, the real pain point is knowing how much cheaper diesel is elsewhere on the continent.

With South Africa ranking 24th on the list of African diesel prices, it becomes clear why the industry continues to lobby for pricing transparency and regulatory reform.

There is also increasing pressure on the government to review levies that impact the transport sector disproportionately.

The ranking of the top 10 countries with the cheapest diesel prices in Africa highlights a clear divide between subsidy-heavy economies and free-market structures like South Africa’s.

While truckers in countries like Libya and Algeria enjoy ultra-low diesel prices, their South African counterparts continue to feel the squeeze.

Until meaningful changes are made, South African transporters must rely on operational efficiency, route optimisation, and smarter logistics strategies to stay competitive.

The road may be long, but with proper planning, the wheels will keep turning.