Gasoline prices remain one of the most sensitive indicators of economic life across the continent, affecting everything from freight transport and commuting costs to production expenses.
In August 2025, Business Insider, using data from the Global PetrolPrices platform, published a ranking of the African countries where fuel is the most expensive.
According to the report, the Central African Republic, Senegal, and Zimbabwe top the list, with gasoline costing $1.858, $1.752, and $1.560 per liter respectively. These figures highlight how import dependence and fiscal pressures can directly impact end consumers.
“When gasoline becomes too expensive, it is not only motorists who suffer.
Freight costs rise, making goods more expensive, businesses see higher operational costs, and households experience a squeeze on purchasing power,” the report notes.
Following closely are Ivory Coast ($1.513), Burkina Faso ($1.504), Cameroon ($1.486), Malawi ($1.459), Kenya ($1.429), Morocco ($1.428), and Uganda ($1.418). Each country faces unique economic and energy challenges, ranging from limited local production to geopolitical pressures on oil supply.
The ranking also underscores a broader vulnerability. Countries dependent on imported oil remain exposed to international price fluctuations, geopolitical tensions, and currency volatility. While some governments offer partial subsidies or incentives to shift toward alternative energy, others leave citizens fully exposed to global market shifts.
Experts warn that sustained high fuel prices can erode competitiveness, inflate consumer prices, and trigger social discontent. “Fuel prices are not just numbers at the pump; they ripple through the economy, affecting transportation, trade, and daily life,” analysts say.
As African economies continue to modernize and urbanize, the pressure on governments to manage fuel costs while encouraging energy transition is intensifying. The top 10 list provides a snapshot of where consumers currently feel the heaviest impact, but the broader challenge remains ensuring economic resilience in the face of volatile global energy markets.
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