September 2025 petrol and diesel price forecasts revealed

South African motorists can expect lower fuel prices soon, as indicators show a drop across both petrol and diesel grades in September 2025.

The Daily Fuel Price Report from 27 August 2025 reveals a significant over-recovery in the market—the gap between expected and actual fuel costs—caused by a stronger rand and falling international oil prices.

Industry analysts predict these conditions will lead to fuel price cuts, providing relief for consumers and businesses after months of volatile fuel prices.

Relief Across the Board

The market has recorded over-recoveries for all fuel types, indicating that 93 and 95 octane petrol, as well as diesel, may drop in price when the new tariffs take effect next week.

Since South Africa’s fuel prices closely follow global oil markets and exchange rate movements, these developments point to a positive trend heading into the final quarter of the year.

Official Confirmation Pending

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) will announce the fuel price adjustments at month-end, ahead of their implementation in early September.

If confirmed, the changes will provide a welcome relief for motorists, freight operators, and small businesses facing the cumulative cost pressures from fluctuating energy prices in 2025.

Below are the latest projections, provided to The South African website by the Central Energy Fund (CEF), effective Wednesday, 27 August.

If market conditions stay consistent for the rest of the month—which is unlikely given fluctuations in the rand/dollar exchange rate and changing oil prices—93 octane petrol users could see a 12-cent decrease, while 95 octane users may get a four-cent reduction.

Diesel motorists could experience a decrease of about 55 cents per litre, and the price of illuminating paraffin is expected to drop by 37 cents.

FUEL PRICE IN SOUTH AFRICA IMPACTED BY TWO MAIN FACTORS:

1. The international price of petroleum products, driven mainly by oil prices

2. The rand/dollar exchange rate used in the purchase of these products

Oil price

At the time of publishing the brent crude oil price is $67.85 a barrel.

Exchange rate

At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R17.69/$.

The final overall price changes for both petrol and diesel will be confirmed early next month with the new prices taking effect at midnight on Tuesday, 2 September 2025.

Go easy on the accelerator until then, Mzansi.

The current August 2025 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):