MBABANE – Motorists across Eswatini will pay E29.40 per litre for petrol from midnight after government announced a E3.43 increase.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy announced yesterday that Unleaded Petrol 95 would rise from E25.97 to E29.40 per litre, while Diesel 0.005 per cent S would increase from E28.85 to E32.25 per litre. Illuminating paraffin will also increase from E21.73 to E25.16 per litre. The new prices will take effect at midnight on Thursday, October 1, 2026, and will therefore apply from tomorrow.
The latest increase comes amid significant disruption in international oil markets, with government citing geopolitical tensions, restrictions on shipping routes and damage to refining infrastructure as key drivers of higher global fuel costs. Crude oil prices averaged US$102 per barrel in September, compared with US$89 in August. The ministry said persistent geopolitical tensions had resulted in restrictions on shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, while Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries had added to global fuel-supply challenges.
These developments have also increased security and insurance costs associated with transporting petroleum products.
The Lilangeni also weakened slightly against the United States Dollar during the period under review, averaging E16.18 to the Dollar in September compared with E16.14 in August. The exchange-rate movement added further pressure to the cost of importing fuel into the country.
