Soaring!
Motorists in Eswatini will pay E3.43 more per litre for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin from Friday, following a sharp increase in international oil prices and disruptions to global fuel supplies.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy announced that the new fuel prices will take effect from midnight on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with the adjustment coming as Brent crude oil prices surged above US$100 per barrel in September, compared with an average of US$89 per barrel in August.
Unleaded Petrol (ULP 95) will increase from E25.97 to E29.40 per litre, while Diesel 50ppm S will rise from E28.85 to E32.25 per litre. Illuminating paraffin will increase from E21.73 to E25.16 per litre. 
A statement released by the ministry stated that the increase was being driven by exceptional international market conditions, with persistent geopolitical tensions continuing to affect global oil supplies.
The ministerial statement said security threats and disruptions along key maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, had impeded the movement of crude oil and petroleum products.
These disruptions have contributed to increased shipping, insurance and freight costs.
The ministry also cited damage to Russian refineries and restrictions on Russian fuel exports as factors that have constrained global diesel supplies at a time when international refining capacity is already under pressure.
The developments have translated into higher import costs for Eswatini, which imports 100 per cent of its fuel products.
According to the Ministry, domestic fuel products were experiencing under-recoveries of up to E4.80 per litre by the end of September.
The pressure has also been compounded by movements in the exchange rate. The Lilangeni averaged E16.18 against the US dollar in September, compared with E16.14 in August.
