BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – Petrol users and households relying on illuminating paraffin have been spared a price increase, despite mounting pressure on international fuel markets.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy announced on Wednesday that the price of unleaded petrol and illuminating paraffin will remain unchanged when the latest fuel price adjustment takes effect at midnight on Thursday, 6 August 2026.
However, motorists, public transport operators, farmers and businesses using diesel will have to pay E1.30 more per litre from Friday, 7 August 2026.
The retail price of Diesel 50ppm, also known as 0.005 per cent sulphur diesel, will increase from E26.20 to E27.50 per litre.
Unleaded Petrol 95 will remain at E24.67 per litre, while illuminating paraffin will continue to retail at E20.38 per litre.
“The price of Diesel 50ppm S will increase by E1.30 per litre, whilst the prices of both Unleaded Petrol and Illuminating Paraffin will remain unchanged,” the ministry announced in a press release.
The decision to keep petrol and paraffin prices unchanged provides some relief to thousands of motorists and households already managing rising living costs.
Paraffin remains an important source of energy for cooking, lighting and heating in many homes, particularly in rural and low-income communities. Maintaining its price at E20.38 per litre will help protect vulnerable households from an additional financial burden.
Petrol users will also continue paying E24.67 per litre, shielding private motorists, small businesses and some public transport operators from an immediate increase.
Diesel users, however, will feel the impact of rising international crude oil prices, global supply disruptions and a slight weakening of the Lilangeni against the United States dollar.
According to the ministry, international crude oil prices averaged US$87 per barrel during July 2026, compared to US$85 per barrel in June.
Using the average exchange rates recorded during the respective months, this translates to approximately E1432 per barrel in July, compared to about E1391 per barrel in June.
The ministry attributed the rise in international prices to growing shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, two strategic routes used to transport large quantities of fuel and other goods across the world.
Global diesel supplies were also affected by Russia’s decision to ban diesel exports following Ukrainian drone strikes.
“The shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, coupled with Russia’s diesel export ban following Ukrainian drone strikes, severely constricted global supply, putting pressure on fuel prices, especially on diesel prices,” the ministry explained.
The Lilangeni also recorded a slight depreciation against the United States dollar during July. It averaged E16.46 against the dollar, compared to E16.37 in June.
Because Eswatini imports most of its petroleum products, a weaker Lilangeni increases the amount of local currency required to purchase fuel on international markets.
The E1.30 diesel increase is expected to affect sectors that depend heavily on diesel-powered machinery and vehicles, including agriculture, construction, mining, manufacturing, freight transportation and public transport.
Diesel is widely used by trucks transporting food and other goods across the country. It also powers tractors, generators, buses and industrial equipment.
Businesses may therefore face higher operating and transportation costs following the adjustment. However, the decision to hold petrol and paraffin prices steady is expected to cushion the overall impact on households.
The new fuel prices effective Friday, 7 August 2026, are:
- Unleaded Petrol 95 will remain at 67 per litre.
- Diesel 50ppm will increase from 20 to E27.50 per litre.
Illuminating paraffin will remain at E2.38 per litre
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