Despite importing the majority of its fuel from South Africa, Botswana charges less per litre for petrol and diesel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conflict in the Middle East has caused fuel prices to spike globally, with oil prices consistently reaching above $100 per barrel since February 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The surge in prices came after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping lane for global oil trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These global events have had a heavy toll on South Africa, where fuel prices have risen drastically since the start of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In October, petrol prices reached a historic high of over R30 per litre, while the wholesale diesel price hit R33.29 per litre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While South Africans have faced severe pressure from rising fuel prices, Botswana has not changed petrol prices since July 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The country’s most recent change to its fuel prices was a decrease announced on 6 July 2026, which reduced the retail prices of petrol, diesel, and illuminating paraffin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, Botswana pays 1,821 thebe (R21.86) per litre of 95 unleaded, R8.39 less than the cost in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to South Africa, Botswana’s fuel prices are regulated by a government body, the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted monthly, based on global prices and currency fluctuations, BERA only makes price adjustments when it deems them necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To shield consumers from price shocks, Botswana’s government also suspended several fuel levies earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa used a similar tactic at the onset of the war in Iran, temporarily suspending the General Fuel Levy (GFL), reducing fuel prices by R3 per litre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Botswana suspended its Fuel Levy, Road Fund Levy, and Security of Supply Margin, and all three were recently reinstated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the levies were returned, it did not result in any immediate changes to the country’s retail petrol prices, BERA said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Any future adjustment to pump prices will be determined through the established fuel pricing adjustment mechanism, taking into account prevailing international fuel prices, exchange rate movements, accumulated under or over recoveries and other relevant market factors,” it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
| <\/td> | South African price per litre<\/strong><\/td>| Botswanan price per litre<\/strong><\/td> | difference<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> | 95 unleaded petrol<\/td> | R30.25<\/td> | R21.89<\/td> | R8.36<\/td><\/tr> | 50ppm diesel<\/td> | R33.29<\/td> | R25.16<\/td> | R8.13<\/td><\/tr> | Illuminating paraffin<\/td> | R24.47<\/td> | R22.04<\/td> | R2.43<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div> | A net importer<\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe lower petrol prices in Botswana persist despite the country being a net fuel importer, with most of its supply coming from South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In July 2026, Botswana’s Oil Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Letshego Moeng, said the country imports the majority of its oil from South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Primarily, we source oil through South Africa and some of it from Mozambique and Namibia,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added that the country imports approximately 1.3 billion litres of oil per year, with the majority of its consumption being diesel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n |