South African motorists started the new year on a positive note at the fuel pumps, and indicators suggest that additional price relief could still be possible in early February.
According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), fuel prices remain under downward pressure, supported largely by a stronger rand.
Strongest level
The local currency is currently trading at its strongest level against the US dollar since June 2022, helping to offset international fuel costs.
However, the outlook has become more uncertain in recent days due to a modest rise in Brent crude oil prices.
This increase has dampened expectations of deeper fuel price cuts, despite favourable currency conditions.
Could limit reductions
Market watchers note that the final fuel price adjustment for February will depend on how global oil prices and the rand perform over the remainder of the review period.
Any sustained increase in crude prices could limit potential reductions, while continued rand strength may help cushion motorists from sharper increases.
Below, the latest projections as received by The South African website from the Central Energy Fund (CEF):
| FUEL | PRICE CHANGE |
| Petrol 93 | decrease of 65 cents |
| Petrol 95 | decrease of 67 cents |
| Diesel 0.05% | decrease of 57 cents |
| Diesel 0.005% | decrease of 65 cents |
| Illuminating Paraffin | decrease of 57 cents |
If the market conditions were to remain consistent for the remainder of the month – an unlikely scenario with the rand/dollar exchange rate fluctuating and the oil price ever changing – a decrease of 65 cents per litre is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and a decrease of 67 cents for 95 users is anticipated.
Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something between a 57 and 65 cents per litre decrease.
Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to drop by 57 cents in price.
FUEL PRICE IN SOUTH AFRICA IMPACTED BY TWO MAIN FACTORS:
1. The international price of petroleum products, driven mainly by oil prices
2. The rand/dollar exchange rate used in the purchase of these products
Oil price
At the time of publishing the brent crude oil price is $65.24 a barrel.
Exchange rate
At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R16.03/$.
The final overall price changes for both petrol and diesel will be confirmed later in the month with the new prices taking effect at midnight on Tuesday, 3 February.
The current January 2026 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):
| INLAND | January |
| Petrol 93 | R20.64 |
| Petrol 95 | R20.75 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R18.41 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R18.52 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R12.63 |
| COASTAL | January |
| Petrol 93 | R19.85 |
| Petrol 95 | R19.92 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R17.58 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R17.76 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R11.62 |
