• According to month-end data from the CEF, motorists can expect a sizeable decrease in petrol prices come April 2025.
• Both grades of petrol are to fall by between 64 and 78 cents and diesel by nearly R1 per litre.
• The relief comes as the market holds its breath as the Trump tariffs come into effect in April.

Following slight decreases to the price of petrol and other fuels for March, month-end data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) is bringing even better news for prices in April 2025, with decreases across the board unless something drastic changes by 2nd April.

The official price of petrol is expected to change on the first Wednesday of the month, which is this week on the 2nd. Prior to the change, the Department of Mineral Resources will announce the official prices, but the CEF’s data is used to find these prices.

Seeing as this month-end data is fresh and the decreases are so high, we can expect at least that price changes this week will be along the lines of these. It is important to note that the below prices do not factor in tax changes that will be coming into effect from 1st April 2025.

Additionally, the carbon fuel levy will be increasing by 3 cents per litre, cutting some of the drops in prices slightly.

Expected changes to the price of petrol and other fuels in April 2025

• Petrol 93 to decrease by 64 cents per litre,
• Petrol 95 to decrease by 78 cents per litre,
• Diesel 0.05 percent to decrease by 90 cents per litre,
• Diesel 0.005 percent to decrease by 93 per litre,
• Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale) to decrease by 84 cents per litre.

While the biggest decline in pricing this year so far was felt at the beginning of March, favourable movement in oil prices and the Rand/USD exchange rate has stayed on South Africa’s good side coming out of March.

Just like last month, a considerable amount of important economic forces are being kept at bay by investors waiting to see the effects of US President Donald Trump’s incoming tariffs, which are set to take effect from April as well.

As the markets await to see what happens with the tariffs and their effects on the global economy, the markets look like they won’t be taking too many risks any time soon. If the effects aren’t as bad as expected, it could lead to riskier investments, which will be good for the South African currency.

Otherwise, the price of crude oil is expected to continue to decrease into April and perhaps May. If the Rand can hold out against uncertainty over Trump’s trade war, we will see another decrease in May 2025.

Either way, motorists will get a bit of relief in April 2025.