South African motorists are in for some good news as fuel prices are set to drop significantly in April 2025. With a petrol price decrease of close to R1 per litre expected, this reduction will provide much-needed relief at the pumps and help ease financial pressure on consumers. The drop in prices is driven by favourable global oil market trends and a stronger rand, making travel more affordable just in time for the Easter holidays.

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Significant Drop in Fuel Prices Expected

Current fuel price trends indicate a major drop in both petrol and diesel costs for April 2025. According to the latest data, the price of petrol is expected to decline by close to R1 per litre, offering much-needed relief to motorists and helping to curb inflation.

As March nears its end, the forecast remains steady, with no drastic shifts expected in fuel pricing. This comes as a welcome development for South Africans preparing for the Easter holidays, allowing them to stretch their travel budgets with more affordable fuel prices.

Fuel Prices in 2025 So Far

The year began with petrol price hikes—rising by approximately 12 cents per litre in January and 82 cents per litre in February. However, March brought some relief, with petrol prices dropping by 7 cents per litre. Additionally, wholesale diesel prices saw reductions ranging between 17.5 cents and 23.5 cents per litre.

April 2025 Petrol Price Projections

Data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) suggests that fuel prices will continue their downward trend in April, with substantial over-recoveries recorded across petrol and diesel grades. Expected changes include:

Petrol 93: Decrease of 80 cents per litre
Petrol 95: Decrease of 95 cents per litre
Diesel 500ppm: Decrease of 92 cents per litre
Diesel 50ppm: Decrease of 94 cents per litre

Should these forecasts hold, the price of 95 Unleaded petrol is set to drop to around R20.60 per litre at coastal regions and approximately R21.40 inland, while 93 Unleaded is expected to settle at around R21.25 per litre.

Factors Influencing Fuel Prices

Fuel prices in South Africa are shaped by both international and local economic factors. The primary contributors include:

Global crude oil prices: A sharp drop in oil prices—from over $80 per barrel in January to just under $70—has played a major role in the expected fuel price reductions.
Rand to US dollar exchange rate: The rand’s gradual recovery, now trading at around R18.06 per US dollar compared to over R19 earlier in the year, has also contributed to fuel price over-recoveries.
US Economic Policies: The potential for US interest rate cuts has weakened the dollar, benefiting South Africa’s exchange rate.
Government Levies and Taxes: The fuel price structure also includes levies, such as the carbon fuel tax levy, which will increase by three cents per litre in April. However, this minor adjustment is unlikely to offset the overall decrease in fuel prices.

Final Petrol and Diesel Price Confirmation

The Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum will review the final figures before announcing the official adjustments at the start of April. The revised fuel prices will take effect from Wednesday, 2 April 2025.

With the expected price drop, South African motorists can look forward to some financial relief at the pumps, making travel more affordable in the coming month.