Yesha
Senior Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 179
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Zimbabwe was ranked as Africa’s second most expensive country for petrol in late September, with motorists paying an average of US$2.06 per litre, according to data from GlobalPetrolPrices.
The ranking, published by The African Exponent on October 8, 2026, placed Zimbabwe behind Malawi, where petrol averaged US$3.24 per litre, and ahead of Sierra Leone at US$2.03 per litre. The figures were based on petrol prices recorded on September 28. Source: The African Exponent
However, a separate ranking using data from October 12 placed Zimbabwe second among the 41 African countries covered in terms of petrol prices, with the country recording approximately US$2.05 per litre. Malawi remained the most expensive at US$3.23 per litre, followed by Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone at US$2.03 per litre. Source: Les Afriques
The figures underline the continued high cost of fuel in Zimbabwe, where petrol prices remain above US$2 per litre despite a marginal reduction announced by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) in October.
In its latest review, effective October 8, ZERA set the maximum price of blended petrol (E20) at US$2.05 per litre, down from US$2.06, while diesel fell from US$2.08 to US$2.04 per litre. Retailers may charge less than the prescribed maximum prices. Source: Insurance24
The absence of an operating domestic refinery means the country must import refined fuel rather than meet its requirements through local refining. As a landlocked country, Zimbabwe also depends on regional transport corridors to move fuel from ports to domestic markets.
These factors can contribute to the final price paid by motorists, although the impact of each component depends on prevailing market conditions and government pricing policies.
The African Exponent also identified exchange-rate pressures and the absence of a fuel subsidy as factors contributing to Zimbabwe’s high petrol prices.
Transport costs can also influence the prices of food and other essential goods, particularly where businesses pass increased distribution expenses on to consumers.
For households, petrol prices above US$2 per litre can make private transport more expensive, while higher diesel costs can increase the cost of moving goods and operating machinery.
A 50-litre purchase of petrol at US$2.05 per litre costs US$102.50 before any discounts offered by a retailer. At the same price, filling a 60-litre tank costs US$123.
The September 28 data placed Zimbabwe second in Africa for petrol prices. The October 12 comparison also placed it second among the 41 countries covered, although the precise prices differed slightly between reporting dates.
The rankings refer specifically to petrol, or octane-95 gasoline, expressed in US dollars per litre. They should not be interpreted as a ranking of diesel prices or as a comparison of the overall cost of living across African countries.
While Zimbabwe’s position highlights the burden of fuel costs on consumers and businesses, the figures also demonstrate why the date, fuel type and methodology used in international price comparisons matter.
The ranking, published by The African Exponent on October 8, 2026, placed Zimbabwe behind Malawi, where petrol averaged US$3.24 per litre, and ahead of Sierra Leone at US$2.03 per litre. The figures were based on petrol prices recorded on September 28. Source: The African Exponent
However, a separate ranking using data from October 12 placed Zimbabwe second among the 41 African countries covered in terms of petrol prices, with the country recording approximately US$2.05 per litre. Malawi remained the most expensive at US$3.23 per litre, followed by Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone at US$2.03 per litre. Source: Les Afriques
The figures underline the continued high cost of fuel in Zimbabwe, where petrol prices remain above US$2 per litre despite a marginal reduction announced by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) in October.
In its latest review, effective October 8, ZERA set the maximum price of blended petrol (E20) at US$2.05 per litre, down from US$2.06, while diesel fell from US$2.08 to US$2.04 per litre. Retailers may charge less than the prescribed maximum prices. Source: Insurance24
Why fuel prices remain high
Zimbabwe relies on imported refined petroleum products, leaving domestic fuel prices exposed to international supply costs, transport and distribution expenses, taxes, and exchange-rate movements.The absence of an operating domestic refinery means the country must import refined fuel rather than meet its requirements through local refining. As a landlocked country, Zimbabwe also depends on regional transport corridors to move fuel from ports to domestic markets.
These factors can contribute to the final price paid by motorists, although the impact of each component depends on prevailing market conditions and government pricing policies.
The African Exponent also identified exchange-rate pressures and the absence of a fuel subsidy as factors contributing to Zimbabwe’s high petrol prices.
Impact on consumers and businesses
Fuel prices affect more than motorists. Transport operators, farmers, manufacturers and businesses that rely on deliveries face higher operating expenses when fuel costs remain elevated.Transport costs can also influence the prices of food and other essential goods, particularly where businesses pass increased distribution expenses on to consumers.
For households, petrol prices above US$2 per litre can make private transport more expensive, while higher diesel costs can increase the cost of moving goods and operating machinery.
A 50-litre purchase of petrol at US$2.05 per litre costs US$102.50 before any discounts offered by a retailer. At the same price, filling a 60-litre tank costs US$123.
A ranking that can change
GlobalPetrolPrices updates its fuel-price data regularly, meaning rankings can change as governments revise prices, currencies fluctuate and international petroleum costs move.The September 28 data placed Zimbabwe second in Africa for petrol prices. The October 12 comparison also placed it second among the 41 countries covered, although the precise prices differed slightly between reporting dates.
The rankings refer specifically to petrol, or octane-95 gasoline, expressed in US dollars per litre. They should not be interpreted as a ranking of diesel prices or as a comparison of the overall cost of living across African countries.
While Zimbabwe’s position highlights the burden of fuel costs on consumers and businesses, the figures also demonstrate why the date, fuel type and methodology used in international price comparisons matter.
