South Africa faces higher fuel prices in September as oil costs rise

South African motorists and industries are facing significant fuel price increases in September 2026, according to midmonth data from the Central Energy Fund, driven primarily by surging international crude oil prices amid ongoing Middle East tensions. The projections indicate that petrol has moved into underrecovery territory, with 95 unleaded petrol potentially rising by 77 cents per litre and 93 unleaded by 66 cents per litre. Diesel users are set to bear the steepest increases, with 0.05% diesel possibly climbing by R2.73 per litre and 0.005% diesel by R2.90 per litre. Illuminating paraffin could also increase by R2.14 per litre.

The sharp rise in fuel costs is largely attributed to Brent crude oil reaching approximately $92 per barrel, a surge fueled by escalating conflicts in the Middle East and uncertainty over oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The relatively strong rand, trading at around R16.26 to the US dollar, has provided some buffer but has not been sufficient to offset the global oil price spike. Analysts note that the collapse of a US-Iran ceasefire has reignited tensions, with risks in the Strait of Hormuz only partly mitigated by alternative shipping...