The global average price of gasoline increased from $1.25 to $1.27 per litre in June. However, some African countries saw even higher fuel prices.
Data from GlobalPetrolPrices, compiled by Business Insider Africa, shows that the Central African Republic now has the highest fuel cost in Africa.
Nine other countries are also struggling with rising prices due to weak currencies, subsidy cuts, and high transportation costs.
One major reason for these high prices is the falling value of local currencies against the U.S. dollar, which is used for global oil transactions. At the same time, many African governments,including Nigeria, the biggest oil producer in Africa, have stopped fuel subsidies to save money for public spending.
While removing subsidies helps the economy in the long run, it has caused fuel prices to rise quickly.
Another factor is the high cost of transportation and fuel distribution. Many African countries do not have enough oil refineries, so they have to import petrol.
The fuel then travels long distances over bad roads, through crowded ports, and into poorly equipped storage sites. These problems add extra costs, which consumers end up paying for at the pump.
Here are the top 10 African countries with the highest fuel prices in June 2025:
1. Central African Republic: $1.83/L (23rd globally)
With one of Africa’s most volatile currencies, the CFA franc, and virtually no local refining capacity, the Central African Republic imports nearly all its fuel, adding steep transportation and handling fees at each stage.
2. Senegal: $1.73/L (30th globally)
Despite modest subsidy support, Senegal’s reliance on imported petrol and a weakening dalasi against the U.S. dollar pushes prices upward. High port congestion in Dakar further inflates delivery costs.
3. Zimbabwe: $1.54/L (46th globally)
Hyperinflation and chronic foreign‐currency shortages force Zimbabwe to procure fuel on the parallel market at punitive rates,costs that are fully passed through to consumers.
4. Ivory Coast: $1.49/L (51st globally)
The country phased out most fuel subsidies in late 2024. While this eases government spending, it has led to an immediate, sharp uptick in pump prices, compounded by inland transport over poor roads.
5. Burkina Faso: $1.48/L (53rd globally)
Landlocked Burkina Faso depends entirely on neighbouring ports in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Multiple border checkpoints and high transit tariffs add to already elevated global oil costs.
6. Cameroon: $1.46/L (54th globally)
Cameroon’s underutilised refining complex still requires significant imports. Currency depreciation and a VAT surcharge on fuel contribute to its position near the top of the price list.
7. Malawi: $1.46/L (55th globally)
As a net fuel importer, Malawi’s kwacha slide against the dollar magnifies import bills. Inefficient inland transport, over long distances and rough roads, further drives up retail prices.
8. Morocco: $1.44/L (58th globally)
High domestic fuel taxes, introduced to fund renewable‐energy projects, combine with subsidy removals to keep Moroccan pump prices well above the African average.
9. Uganda: $1.40/L (59th globally)
Uganda’s road network improvements have yet to curb high haulage costs. Coupled with a shilling under pressure and a recent cut in government fuel support, motorists are paying more at the pump.
10. Ghana: $1.40/L (60th globally)
Ghana eliminated fuel subsidies in early 2025 to rebalance its budget. The cedi’s depreciation against the dollar and additional port-handling fees mean consumers shoulder the full cost.